Acne Vulgaris;

Abstract

Objective: To find out the frequency and pattern of psychosocial stressors and adverse life events in patients presentingwith Acne vulgaris. Study design: A descriptive study. Place & duration of study: The study was conducted in the Department ofPsychiatry & Behavioural Sciences, in collaboration with Dermatological Department, Nishtar Hospital, Multan from September, 2012 toNovember, 2012. Subjects & Methods: The sample consisted of 50 consecutive out-patients (Female-42, Male-8) with acne. They wereinterviewed and The Presumptive Stressful life Events Scale (PSLES) was administered to elicit major life events and psychosocialstressors they had to face. Results were analysed from the entries in a semi structured Performa. Results: Out of 50 patients, 94%subjects reported more than one stress & 6% reported no stress. 15(30%) were suffering from the disease 6 months to one year. Wefound more than one stressor. Results showed 46% of the participants reported Social Withdrawal, 40% had Academic Problems, 38%showed Frustration and Anger, 32% had to face Critical Remarks / Stigmatization, 30% had Low self esteem & Negative thoughts aboutself, 12% presented with Suicidal Ideas / Attempts, about 22% reported disturbed Relationship with Spouse while 14% reported theRelationship problems with other family members. Conclusions: We concluded that psychosocial stressors and life events were presentin significant majority of patients with acne and these emotional, social, behavioural and psychological reactions have strong associationin patients suffering from acne vulgaris.