Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2026
08:01
Cutaneous Surgical Denervation: A Method for Testing the Requirement for Nerves in Mouse Models of Skin Disease
Published on: June 26, 2016
Psychocutaneous syndromes: a call for revised nomenclature
1Department of Dermatology, University of Iowa, Des Moines, IA, USA. hobart-walling@uiowa.edu
Clinical and Experimental Dermatology
|April 3, 2007
Summary
This study suggests replacing outdated diagnostic terms like trichotillomania with patient-centered terms such as neuromechanical alopecia. This aims to reduce stigma and improve treatment accessibility for these conditions.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Psychiatry
- Medical Terminology
Background:
- Current diagnostic terms for self-inflicted skin conditions are outdated and stigmatizing.
- Terms like 'trichotillomania', 'delusions of parasitosis', and 'neurotic excoriation' are offensive and hinder patient care.
Observation:
- These diagnostic labels carry negative connotations, creating barriers to seeking and receiving effective treatment.
- Patient-centered language is crucial for fostering trust and therapeutic alliance.
Findings:
- Proposes replacing 'trichotillomania' with 'neuromechanical alopecia'.
- Suggests 'pseudoparasitic dysaesthesia' as an alternative to 'delusions of parasitosis'.
- Recommends 'excoriation' as a straightforward replacement for 'neurotic excoriation'.
Implications:
- Adopting new terminology can reduce patient distress and improve treatment adherence.
- Patient-centered nomenclature promotes a more compassionate and effective approach to managing these dermatological and psychiatric conditions.
- This shift in language supports a move towards more ethical and sensitive medical practice.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) serves as the primary classification system for mental health disorders, providing standardized diagnostic criteria for clinicians and researchers. First published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) in 1952, the DSM has undergone several revisions to reflect evolving psychiatric understanding. The fifth edition, DSM-5, released in 2013, introduced key updates that expanded diagnostic categories and modified diagnostic...
01:30Psychosurgery
Psychosurgery, the surgical alteration or permanent removal of brain tissue to alleviate severe psychological conditions, stands as one of the most radical and controversial treatments in the history of mental health care. Its development and application have evolved significantly, marked by dramatic shifts in scientific understanding and ethical perspectives.
Historical Development of Psychosurgery
In the 1930s, Portuguese neurologist Antonio Egas Moniz introduced a surgical procedure designed...
Historical Development of Psychosurgery
In the 1930s, Portuguese neurologist Antonio Egas Moniz introduced a surgical procedure designed...
01:30Dissociative Identity Disorder
Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), previously termed multiple personality disorder, is a complex psychological condition characterized by the presence of two or more distinct identities or personality states. Each identity exhibits unique patterns of behavior, voice, and mannerisms and may possess separate memories and emotional responses. The alternating control between identities can result in memory gaps and challenges in recalling daily activities, often exacerbating the individual's...
01:23Skin Diseases and Disorders
Skin is the first line of defense and encounters a variety of microbes. Some pathogenic strains are often the cause of a broad range of infections of the skin and other body systems. These conditions can affect people of all ages and may have different causes, including genetic factors, infections, autoimmune reactions, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices.
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
01:14Changes in Skin Color: Clinical Perspectives
The first thing a clinician sees is the skin, so the examination of the skin should be part of any thorough physical examination. Most skin disorders are relatively benign, but a few, including melanomas, can be fatal if untreated. A couple of the more noticeable disorders, albinism and vitiligo, affect the appearance of the skin and its accessory organs.
Albinism
Albinism is a genetic disorder that affects (completely or partially) the coloring of skin, hair, and eyes. The defect is primarily...
Albinism
Albinism is a genetic disorder that affects (completely or partially) the coloring of skin, hair, and eyes. The defect is primarily...
01:33Pleiotropy
Pleiotropy is the phenomenon in which a single gene impacts multiple, seemingly unrelated phenotypic traits. For example, defects in the SOX10 gene cause Waardenburg Syndrome Type 4, or WS4, which can cause defects in pigmentation, hearing impairments, and an absence of intestinal contractions necessary for elimination. This diversity of phenotypes results from the expression pattern of SOX10 in early embryonic and fetal development. SOX10 is found in neural crest cells that form melanocytes,...