[Psychosomatic dermatology]

An appreciative cooperation among dermatology, clinical psychology and psychology and psychiatry is necessary and useful. By selected facts interactions between central and autonomous nervous system on one side and the immune system on the other side were described. As far as the neutrocutaneous interrelations are concerned the cutaneous stimulation appears to be an important factor for the physical and physiologic development. In addition, the skin communicates to the environment and other people. Therefore, it plays a role in the social integration. Psychiatric diseases can affect the skin (e.g. delusions of parasitosis in schizophrenia). On the other hand primary skin diseases such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, acune vulgaris, chronic idiopathic urticaria and alopecia areata may induce psychologic features. The characteristics of the personalities of dermatological patients are discussed. The psychodiagnostics (personal interview, questionaires) is followed by psychotherapeutic procedures such as personal consultations, treatment in groups, hypnosis and autogenous training. Our experiences in the psychodiagnostics and treatment are briefly reported. Finally, psychotropic drugs-antipsychotic, anti-depressant, antianxiety, and hypnotic agents - may be useful as an adjunct in the management of dermatologic disorders, if applied under precautious indications.