Social Anxiety and Quality of Life in Vitiligo and Acne Patients with Facial Involvement: A Cross-Sectional Controlled Study

Abstract

Vitiligo and acne patients had higher levels of social anxiety, anxiety, and depression compared with healthy control subjects. Considering that increased psychosocial morbidity was regardless of age, sex, and disease severity and was correlated with quality of life impairment, evaluation of the psychosocial morbidity, in particular social anxiety, may be valuable in all vitiligo and acne patients.

The importance of mindfulness in psychosocial distress and quality of life in dermatology patients

“…High levels of anxiety, depression and social anxiety were documented in the present sample of dermatology patients, therefore adding to the literature highlighting the need for psychological support . The present results also suggest that people living with visible skin conditions who report higher levels of mindfulness report lower levels of psychosocial distress and better quality of life, across a range of different skin conditions.…”

“…Increased levels of anxiety, depression and phobic reactions have also been reported by people living with alopecia . There is a risk that people living with a skin condition can experience distress during social situations, which can result in avoidance of social encounters …”

The prevalence and odds of depression in patients with vitiligo: a meta‐analysis

“…The sample sizes ranged from 30 to 308, and a total of 1965 patients with vitiligo were pooled, with the median duration of vitiligo ranged from 3.9 to 17.4 years. In the ten controlled studies, data on 771 patients with vitiligo and 570 healthy controls were pooled …”

“…The second most commonly used was the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS); it was utilized in three studies . The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was utilized in two studies . Other utilized questionnaires include the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES‐D) in two studies, GHQ 12 used in two studies, Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ) in one study, and outpatient psychiatric service .…”

Acknowledging the impact of hair loss

“…Living with a visible skin condition can lead to considerable psychological distress and feelings of stigmatization and lowered self‐image . Although distress can be high in alopecia areata, the psychological and social impact of hair loss has received little attention and psychological support is lacking.…”