Psychological interventions in the management of common skin conditions

Abstract

The nervous system and the skin develop next to each other in the embryo and remain intimately interconnected and interactive throughout life. The nervous system can influence skin conditions through psychoneuroimmunoendocrine mechanisms and through behaviors. Understanding the pathophysiology aids in selection of treatment plans for correcting the negative effects of the psyche on specific skin conditions. Medication options include standard psychotropic medications and alternative herbs and supplements. Other options include biofeedback, cognitive-behavioral methods, hypnosis, meditation, progressive relaxation, the placebo effect, and suggestion. When simple measures fail, combining medications with other therapeutic options may produce better results. Skin conditions that have strong psychophysiologic aspects may respond well to techniques such as biofeedback, cognitive-behavioral methods, hypnosis, meditation, or progressive relaxation that help to counteract stress. Treatment of primary psychiatric disorders that negatively influence skin conditions often results in improvement of those skin conditions. Abnormal conditions of the skin, hair, and nails can also influence the psyche negatively. Treatment of secondary psychiatric disorders such as anxiety or depression that are triggered or exacerbated by the appearance of these skin conditions or the associated discomfort may also be required.

Anxiety State and ITS Psychosocial Consequences among Acne Vulgaris and Chronic Urticaria Patients in Abuja

“…These aspects of patients' symptoms were previously being ignored while managing them, thereby compromising their psychological wellbeing. Our findings collaborate previous studies which asserted that acne vulgaris has a demonstrable personality changes like emotional disturbances, low self-image and esteem, inability to form and sustain relationship (Mallon, Newton, & Klassan, 1999;Yahaya, 2009;Shenefelt, 2010). The level of anxiety state of sufferers of acne vulgaris is often heighten when the site of occurrence is the face, chest and it is complicated by nodulocystic changes and scars (Van der Meeren, Van der Schaar, & Van der Hurk, 1985;Shuster et al, 1978).…”

“…Previously, patients with skin diseases received little or no attention about their psychological wellbeing (Julian, 1999;Shenefelt, 2010). For instance, skin conditions such as acne which was considered to be insignificant when compared with diseases of other organ systems do not only account for about 3% of dermatological visitations to primary health care but has the same impact of anxiety and social reactions comparable to that of arthritis, back pain, diabetes, epilepsy and asthma (Morgan, 1992;Julian, 1999;Mallon, Newton, & Klassan, 1999;Dreno & Poli, 2013).…”

Psychiatric Comorbidity in Patients with Acne

“…Skin conditions that have strong psychophysiological aspects, such as acne, may respond to some psychological therapy trials such as biofeedback, cognitive-behavior therapy, meditation or progressive relaxation that aim to provide stress management and to counteract stress [41]. In management of patients with co-existing acne and psychiatric symptoms; it is better to avoid psychotropic medications that may cause drug-induced acne such as trazodone, haloperidol, and lithium which can cause or exacerbate acne.…”

Psycho-Emotional State of Children and Adolescents With Acne

“…Некоторые авторы отмечают, что одним из важнейших факторов, снижающих ментальный стресс и тревожность, служит сама по себе успешная традиционная терапия угревой болезни [2].…”

“…СВЯЗЬ МЕЖДУ СОСТОЯНИЕМ НЕРВНОЙ СИСТЕМЫ И УГРЕВОЙ БОЛЕЗНЬЮ: СОВРЕМЕННОЕ СОСТОЯНИЕ ПРОБЛЕМЫ Как известно, и кожа, и нервная система имеют экто дермальное происхождение [2], что определяет их неразрывную связь.…”