Atopic eczema: a clinical psychiatric study

Twenty subject (including patients with atopic eczema and normal matched controls) were subjected to extensive psychiatric interviewing and psychological testing. The atopic eczema patients were found to differ from the controls in early childhood experiences, in adaptation to aggressive conflicts, in themes of dreams and first memories as well as in conflicts and relationships to their extended families. A precipitant stress could be identified at the time of onset and exacerbation of the eczema. Significant psychiatric pathology was found in 60% of the atopic eczema patients. Psychological test results also indicated differences between the two groups with the MMPI being the most discriminating test of those used.