Alterations in mental health and quality of life in patients with skin disorders: a narrative review

Abstract

The presence of lesions in visible areas of skin may cause emotional troubles in patients, including low self‐worth, embarrassment, sorrow, and social isolation. Those alterations may predispose to psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, depression, and even suicidal ideation, severely affecting patients' health state and quality of life (QoL). In this article, we focus on dermatologic patients that present with secondary mental health alterations. Thus, we offer a detailed description of mental disorders observed in patients with acne vulgaris, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, ichthyosis, vitiligo, and hidradenitis suppurativa. Moreover, we point out the relationship between the severity of the cutaneous symptoms with mental illnesses and QoL decline. Our objective was to highlight the importance of mental health care for patients with skin diseases. The impact of skin alterations on the mental health of dermatological patients should be a central concern. Likewise, the timely identification and treatment of mental disorders are essential for the comprehensive management of these skin diseases.

Case Report: Immune checkpoint inhibitor-related vitiligo-like depigmentation in non-melanoma advanced cancer: A report of three cases and a pooled analysis of individual patient data

“…Vitiligo is not life-threatening, but exerts a harmful influence on the quality of life. Patients who have depigmentation may have inferiority complexes, shame, melancholy, and social isolation, all of which could result in mental illnesses and have a negative impact on patients' health and quality of life, including anxiety, depression, and even suicidal behavior (3). Establishing a harmonious relationship with patients and raising the awareness that vitiligo-like depigmentation is not contagious will reduce the humiliation and discrimination of patients because of their appearance and help to improve their quality of life.…”

Factors associated with the prevalence of depression among people with oculocutaneous albinism in Jinja,Uganda.A cross sectional study

“…As argued by H. Cortes and colleagues(2022) that patients who have lesions in parts of their skin that are visible may have emotional problems such as poor self-worth, shame, sorrow, and social isolation. These changes could make people more susceptible to mental illnesses including depression 33 . This would be caused by the biological and psychosocial factors to which people with albinism are exposed; by the lack of knowledge of the population on the preventive and protective measures; by the lack of awareness and early detection of depressive symptoms and by the barriers to access to appropriate health care by the general population and those living with oculocutaneous albinism.…”

Mood symptoms, neurodevelopmental traits, and their contributory factors in X-linked ichthyosis, ichthyosis vulgaris and psoriasis

“…Dermatological conditions are associated with elevated rates of mental health problems including mood disorders. [1][2][3] For many of these conditions, there is a lack of research into the nature and causes of these psychological difficulties, and access to psychological support is severely limited. 4 Mood problems associated with skin conditions may have multiple causes, including stigmatization or bullying, 5 negative impacts upon education, employment or social life, 6 pain/itch, 7 associated sleep problems, 8,9 a need to source and apply medications, 10,11 and comorbid physical ill-health, 12,13 and such problems can significantly affect patient quality of life (QoL).…”

“…Dermatological conditions are associated with elevated rates of mental health problems including mood disorders 1–3 . For many of these conditions, there is a lack of research into the nature and causes of these psychological difficulties, and access to psychological support is severely limited 4 .…”