Unmet Needs in Psychodermatology: A Narrative Review

Area of Science:

• Psychodermatology
• Psychocutaneous Medicine
• Mind-Skin Interactions

Background:

• Psychodermatology is a growing multidisciplinary field.
• Significant knowledge gaps and unmet needs persist in psychodermatology.
• These gaps impact medical training, treatment, research, and patient care access.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate unmet needs in psychodermatology.
• Focus areas include medical training, treatment strategies, research directions, and care accessibility.
• This narrative review aims to identify key areas for advancement.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed.
• The search covered articles related to psychodermatology from inception through December 2023.
• This narrative review synthesizes existing knowledge and identifies gaps.

Main Results:

• Need for research into pathophysiology linking psychological stress and skin disease, including novel therapies targeting neuropeptides.
• Existing research predominantly covers body dysmorphic disorder, body-focused repetitive behaviors, and delusional parasitosis.
• Further research is required on psychotropic medications and other common psychocutaneous diseases.
• Clinicians, particularly dermatologists, report insufficient training and discomfort with psychotropic medication prescription.

Conclusions:

• Enhancing dermatologist education on psychotropic medication use is crucial.
• Development of new drugs targeting stress-induced skin conditions is needed.
• Further research on the psychocutaneous applications of existing medications can improve care quality and access.