Psychiatric Symptoms in Dermatology Patients

Abstract

The 30-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) (Goldberg, 1972) was administered to 196 consecutive new dermatology out-patients and 40 consecutive admissions to dermatology beds. Thirty per cent of the out-patients and 60 per cent of the in-patients obtained high scores, while half the high scorers in each group scored high on the Wakefield Self-Assessment Depression Scale (Snaith et al, 1971). These findings suggest that dermatology out-patients have a higher prevalence of psychiatric disorder than the general population, and dermatology in-patients a higher prevalence than general medical in-patients. High GHQ scores were associated with (a) diagnoses of acne, eczema, psoriasis or alopecia; with (b) extensive lesions on exposed parts of the body; and with (c) the use of high potency topical steroid. We indicate other areas that might be profitably explored in a full-scale study.

STUDY OF PREVALENCE OF PSYCHIATRIC MORBIDITY, ESPECIALLY DEPRESSIVE & ANXIETY DISORDERS IN ACNE VULGARIS PATIENTS IN HADOTI REGION

“…Acne is associated with a greater psychological burden than a variety of other disparate chronic disorders. The results of our study show that acne patients suffer from considerable psychiatric morbidity when compared to normal controls, which is consistent with the findings of Aktan S et.al 2000, 5 Hughes JE et.al 1983, 7 Khan MZ et.al 2001, 8 Picardi A et.al 2000. 13 The severity of depression was positively correlated with severity of acne & pearson coefficient of correlation was found to be 0.8986.…”

“…DISCUSSION:Several studies have demonstrated psychological abnormalities including depression, suicidal ideation, anxiety, psychosomatic symptoms, including pain and discomfort, embarrassment and social inhibition among patients of acne. [6][7][8][9][10][11][12] Effective treatment of acne was accompanied by improvement in self-esteem, affect, obsessive-compulsiveness, shame, embarrassment, body image, social assertiveness and self-confidence. Acne is associated with a greater psychological burden than a variety of other disparate chronic disorders.…”

Self-Image and Quality of life of Dermatology Patients

“…It is worth noting here that the frequency of mental disorders among dermatology patients is higher than in the general population; it is as high as ca. 30% (32,(34)(35)(36)(37). This is confirmed by numerous studies; for example Fritzsche (38) …”

Self-inflicted skin lesions: the importance of a proper diagnostic and therapeutic approach

“…Numerous psychological/psychiatric conditions can be found in association with SISL, but in most cases 3 groups are encountered: adjustment disorders, depressive disorders and personality disorders [3]. The frequency of emotional disorders in dermatological patients has been reported to range between 25.2% and 33.4% [7][8][9]. The prevalence of psychosomatic disorders among patients with skin problems is three times higher in comparison with somatically healthy control cohorts [8,10].…”

“…The frequency of emotional disorders in dermatological patients has been reported to range between 25.2% and 33.4% [7][8][9]. The prevalence of psychosomatic disorders among patients with skin problems is three times higher in comparison with somatically healthy control cohorts [8,10].…”