Secondary psychiatric disorders and the skin

Background

Remarkable is the mind-skin connection, that lies in the profound impact that mental health can have on the skin and specific skin diseases on the mental health. This intricate relationship gives rise to a burgeoning field of study known as psychodermatology, which is a rapidly evolving field that explores the intricate relationship between dermatological conditions and psychological factors.

Aims

In this article we summarize some of these diseases, as vitiligo, alopecia areata, psoriasis, acne vulgaris, albinism, rhinophyma, hidradenitis suppurative.

Materials & Methods

We searched on databases like PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and analyzed scientific articles to summarize information needed for this review. We conducted qualitative content analysis to summarize the main results reported by different authors regarding the aimed topics: vitiligo, albinism and the others secondary psychiatric disorders described in this article.

Discussion

Skin is unquestionably the most visible organ of the human body; appearance is greatly influenced by it. An individual's physical and emotional wellbeing depend on having healthy skin, which is an essential element of a person's sexual appeal, sense of fulfilment, and self-confidence.

Conclusion

Psychodermatology recognizes the bidirectional interplay between the mind and the skin, emphasizing the importance of addressing the psychological impact of dermatological disorders to improve patient outcomes. Secondary psychiatric disorders are under classification in psychodermatology, along with psychophysiological disorders and primary psychiatric disorders.