The psychosocial burden of urticaria

Abstract

Urticaria is one of the most common dermatologic allergic diseases, but also holds a significant psychosocial burden due to possible long duration, frequent relapses, unknown cause or trigger and resistance to applied therapy. Many patients associate the onset and worsening of the disease with stressful experiences indicating it can be a psychosomatic disease within the psychoneuroimmunological approach. Apart from that, urticaria greatly affects the quality of life (QoL) of patients, disrupts their daily lives in all aspects, and is a dermatological disease with one of the highest prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities. Therefore, in this review article we discuss why a multidisciplinary approach, which includes both biological, psychological and social aspects of the disease, must be acknowledged for effective treatment. Finally, we provide suggestions for clinical management of patients suffering from urticaria.

A review of psychocutaneous disorders from a psychotherapeutic perspective—Toolkit for the dermatologist

“…Psychotherapy such as CBT is also recommended and is most successful in combination with a SSRI. Other medication classes such as antipsychotics, anxiolytics, and other antidepressants may be used to treat comorbid conditions 24–102 …”

“…Triggers of urticaria may include high stress, exercise, food sensitivities, sun exposure, and more 106–108 . The most common psychiatric comorbidities are depressive disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, sleep and wakefulness disorders, trauma and stressor disorders, somatic disorders, obsessive compulsive disorders, and substance use disorders 28 . Treatment may entail psychotherapy, especially CBT, or supplemental therapies such as yoga, meditation, mindfulness, aerobic exercise, relaxation techniques, journaling, hypnosis, acupuncture, and biofeedback.…”

“…Treatment may entail psychotherapy, especially CBT, or supplemental therapies such as yoga, meditation, mindfulness, aerobic exercise, relaxation techniques, journaling, hypnosis, acupuncture, and biofeedback. Treatment may also entail psychotropic drugs such as SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, MAOIs, atypical antidepressants, anxiolytics, and antipsychotics depending on the condition being treated 3,9,71,28 …”

“…Treatment may also entail psychotropic drugs such as SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, MAOIs, atypical antidepressants, anxiolytics, and antipsychotics depending on the condition being treated. 3,9,71,28 3.1.14 | Vitiligo Vitiligo is a dermatologic disorder characterized by diffuse depigmented patches of skin that often arise with idiopathic origins. It is considered both a genetic and autoimmune disorder.…”

“…109,110 The most common psychiatric comorbidities are depressive disorders, OCD, and anxiety disorders, especially social phobia and panic disorder. 28 Treatment may entail psychotherapy, or supplemental therapies such as yoga, meditation, mindfulness, aerobic exercise, relaxation techniques, journaling, hypnosis, acupuncture, and biofeedback. CBT, psychoeducation, and exposure/response prevention therapies are especially helpful for OCD comorbidity.…”