Psychotherapy of functional dermatoses; its value and limitations as applied to neurodermatitis

Etiologically, neurodermatitis is interpreted as an often manifestly hereditary diathesis which is frequently complicated and exacerbated by disturbances of the patient's emotional and psychic structure. The following traits are commonly exhibited, singly or in combination: a tendency toward excitability and an exaggerated capacity for response to stimuli, polyvalent dermal hypersensitivity, a propensity to vascular disturbances, a personality somewhat obsessional in structure and evidence of deep-seated emotional conflict. Shallow psychotherapy, an indispensable adjunct to the treatment of neurodermatitis, can be successfully applied by any dermatologic physician adequately endowed with patience, sympathy and tact. This method does not achieve a cure, but, properly applied, it can immeasurably improve the patient's lot.