[Psychodermatology: a collaboration between psychiatry and dermatology]

Dermatology is of special importance in consultation-liaison practice. The brain and the skin originate from the same germ layer, the ectoderm, in the embryo. In later periods of life, the various ways these two organs influence each other has been the subject of many studies published in this field. These studies are divided into three groups: 1- studies about stress and dermatologic diseases, 2- psychoanalytic and psychodynamic approaches to psychodermatologic diseases, and 3- clinical research and treatment of psychodermatologic diseases. Recently, in some countries which are aware of the importance of the subject, in the psychodermatology section psychiatrists, dermatologists, psychologists and residents work together as a team. In fact, it has been already accepted that there is a need for association between psychiatry and dermatology in many cases. This association between the two disciplines aims to enhance the success of therapy and psychiatric support for patients who primarily have psychiatric disease, but project that as a dermatologic disease, on the one hand. On the other hand, it provides a more holistic, and satisfying approach for both doctors and patients having primarily dermatologic disease, but who develop psychiatric problems secondarily. In this article, psychodermatology investigations and the relationship between the skin and psyche, diseases discussed in this context, and overlapping areas of psychiatry and dermatology are reviewed, and it is aimed to attract attention to this topic.