The psychological impact of severe acne

The extent to which severe acne affects patients' personality and emotional life is still undetermined. The personality factors of neuroticism, psychosomatic condition, social extraversion, and self-defensive attitude were tested, as well as the social anxiety, in a group of forty patients with severe acne. They were more neurotic, more concerned about their bodily functions, and had a lower self-defensive attitude than a normal population. Their anxiety level was also significantly elevated. A subgroup of twelve patients with conglobate acne were treated with isotretinoin. After one year, when the disease had been brought under control effectively, they were retested. The personality factors had not changed consistently. A decrease of anxiety, which did not reach a level of significance, was found. We conclude that the personality and emotional life of patients with severe acne are affected. This aspect of their condition should receive proper attention as part of their treatment.