Skin changes in primary psychiatric disorders

Primary psychiatric disorders where skin changes appear most frequently include: delusions of parasitosis, body dysmorphic disorder, neurotic excoriations, dermatitis artefacta, and trichotillomania. In all these diseases the primary pathologic condition is of psychiatric nature, and the skin changes are secondary and self-induced. In this review we wanted to present the epidemiology, clinical pictures, and treatment options for these disorders. These patients are more frequently seen in dermatology clinics, as they may be unwilling to acknowledge a psychiatric basis for their psychical symptoms. If we want the treatment to be effective and timely, it is important for the dermatologist to understand the underlying psychopathology of these conditions. Treatment should be gradual. An initially supportive, nonconfrontational, empathic approach to the patient is indicated. Immediate confrontation regarding the suspicion that the patient's lesions are self-induced can be counterproductive in that the patient will often refuse treatment. Frequent visits and symptomatic topical treatments are useful in the beginning. The goal is to establish a trusting and supportive enough relationship with the patient so that he or she will accept a psychiatric referral to explore the complex personality and behavioral issues that often underlie these conditions.