Vitiligo: A psychologically influenced and influencing disease

Vitiligo – Coping Behavior

“…The low rate of therapeutic success, even with relatively recent methods (i.e. PUVA treatment, Kellin, UVA treatment), and the necessity of covering or hiding the unpleasant white spots aggravate the state of emotional suffering [9]. The involvement of neuronal disturbances and neuropeptides, especially NPY [1,2] underscores the psychosomatic role in the pathogenesis of the disease.…”

“…The involvement of neuronal disturbances and neuropeptides, especially NPY [1,2] underscores the psychosomatic role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Psychological factors at the onset of vitiligo [7,9,20] or exacerbation under psychosocial stress factors have already been published. Disfigurement and psychological disturbances were reported by 75% of the patients [19].…”

Treatment of "Stable" Vitiligo by Timedsurgery and Transplantation of Cultured Epidermal Autografts

“…[7][8][9][10][11] The cosmetic disfigurement caused by vitiligo has profound psychological effects on patients and gives rise to serious emotional stress in approximately two thirds of them. 12,13 Psychosocial difficulties include depression, low self-esteem, social rejection, and even job discrimination. 12,13 Vitiligo is usually "active," ie, is characterized by progression of old lesions, development of new lesions, and appearance of white macules after trauma (Koebner phenomenon).…”

“…12,13 Psychosocial difficulties include depression, low self-esteem, social rejection, and even job discrimination. 12,13 Vitiligo is usually "active," ie, is characterized by progression of old lesions, development of new lesions, and appearance of white macules after trauma (Koebner phenomenon). 14 In patients affected by segmental vitiligo, the causative factor(s) usually disappears, leaving well-defined achromic lesions.…”

Vitiligo Management- An Update

“…It is clinically manifested by circumscribed achromic macules often associated with leukotrichia (white hairs). So the cosmetic impact of this disease is tremendous and its psychological impact is devastating particularly in coloured races [2][3][4] . The aetiopathogenesis of this disease is now much better understood and a lot of new advances have been made on the therapeutic front as well.…”