[Psychogenic aspects of perioral dermatitis]

A report has been given how patterns of diagnostic contributed by a Balint group led to a better understanding of patients afflicted with perioral dermatitis. The interaction between internalized and unconscious conflicts and specific, actual conflict situations has been elucidated. Various factors of individual biography and contemporary history were seen to play concurrent roles. In agreement with the results of psychological testing, certain personality attributes were observed, which manifested themselves in two types, i.e. a rather passive and a more active one. This is important for the prognosis, because of the correlations existing between personality attributes, the gravity of the disease and succes in therapy.