Personality Features in Essential Hyperhidrosis

Abstract

The psychological aspects of essential hyperhidrosis, while long recognized, have been minimally investigated. This study compares the personality features of hyperhidrotic subjects to those of normal subjects and persons suffering from dermatological disorders of nonpsychogenic etiology, using the Shanan Sentence Completion Technique, Stein Self Description Questionnaire, Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale, and Rorschach Test. Hyperhidrotic subjects differ significantly in their lower overall coping ability, avoidance patterns of defense and tendency towards impulsivity and poorly-integrated emotional response but not in their lower than expected level of manifest anxiety. It is suggested that essential hyperhidrosis is based on a genetic predisposition to excessive emotional sweating. Developmental factors, underlying psychological conflicts and stressful life situations is all likelihood determine the extent to which this predisposition is symptomatically manifested. The role of psychotherapeutic and behavioral techniques in the conservative treatment of the disorder and in future research, is seen as strengthened by these findings.

Focal hyperhidrosis: diagnosis and management

“…1,2 It can be generalized, involving the whole body, or focal, involving a limited body area, most often the feet, armpits, hands or face. It is as common a disorder as psoriasis.…”

Diagnosis and Treatment of Primary Hyperhidrosis

“…Having onset in early childhood or adolescence, according to correspondence research the disease concerns circa 0.6-1% of the Caucasian population (4,5) and is associated with significant reduction of life quality resulting from impairment of daily activities, social interactions and professional activities (6,7). The disease is more common in females than males, with a predominance of females 65: 35 (1,8).…”

“…Patients complain of high discomfort which they experience in everyday life such as constant staining of documents and other objects made of paper as well as that items made of metal touched by people affected by the disease are often subject to corrosion (14). Thus, the disease has a significant impact on the life quality of patients, leading to withdrawal from social functioning and avoidance of interpersonal relationships (7). Young people do not take the effort to achieve a higher level of edu-528 T. J.…”

“…Stefaniak et al cation, resign from occupations which require working with people, documents, food or is burdened with considerable stress (6,7). PHH also affects in a significant way the emotional and sexual lives of patients, impairing the possibility of establishing relationship with another person (6,7).…”

Estudo da regeneração simpática pós simpaticotomia seletiva experimental (ramocotomia)

“…O envolvimento generalizado costuma ocorrer devido a infecções, desordens endócrinas ou neurológicas, denominada de hiperidrose secundária; já o acometimento focal é idiopático e ocorre também em pessoas saudáveis, podendo afetar uma ou mais partes do corpo, mais frequentemente mãos, axilas, pés e face, nessa ordem. A hiperidrose acomete 1-2% da população, provocando distúrbios psico-sociais e interferindo nas atividades diárias dos pacientes 1,2 . Entre as várias opções de tratamento, tópica, sistêmica, cirúrgicas e não cirúrgicas, a simpatectomia torácica é superior a qualquer outra modalidade de tratamento para o controle da hiperidrose primária palmar e axilar 1,[3][4][5][6]7 .…”