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Psychiatric implications of tattoos.

R F Raspa¹, J Cusack

¹Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland.

American Family Physician

|May 1, 1990

Summary

Tattoos are frequently linked to psychiatric disorders like antisocial personality disorder and substance abuse. A tattoo can signal a physician to consider underlying mental health conditions during a physical exam.

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Area of Science:

Psychiatry
Dermatology
Medical Sociology

Background:

Psychiatric disorders are prevalent and impact various aspects of life.
Tattoos are a common form of body modification with diverse cultural and personal meanings.
Physicians routinely conduct physical examinations to assess patient health.

Observation:

A notable association exists between the presence of tattoos and specific psychiatric conditions.
Conditions frequently linked with tattoos include antisocial personality disorder, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, and borderline personality disorder.

Findings:

The physical presence of a tattoo during an examination serves as a potential clinical indicator.
This finding suggests that tattoos may correlate with an increased likelihood of underlying psychiatric disorders.

Implications:

Physicians should consider the possibility of psychiatric conditions when encountering tattoos during physical examinations.
This association may aid in early identification and intervention for individuals with mental health concerns.
Further research can explore the nuances of tattoo prevalence across different psychiatric diagnoses and demographics.

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