Abstract
Psychodermatology describes the interaction between mind and skin. Both the brain and the skin originate from the same germ layer, the embryonic ectoderm. Communication between mind and skin can be explained through the neuro-immuno-cutaneous-endocrine system. Emotional factors appear to significantly influence most skin diseases, and it is well recognized that stressful life events can trigger eruption of dermatological disease. Psychodermatologic disorders fall into three categories: psychophysiologic disorders, primary psychiatric disorders and secondary psychiatric disorders. Therapeutic options discussed in this article include standard psychotropic drugs and non-pharmacologic alternatives such as cognitive-behavioural therapy, hypnosis and biofeedback. Anxiolytic medication, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and sedative antihistamines are the main groups of psychopharmacologic treatment used. Cognitive behavioural methods may resolve dysfunctional thought patterns or actions that damage the skin or interfere with dermatologic therapy. Hypnosis is an alternative or complimentary therapy that has been used since ancient times to treat medical problems, and may improve or resolve numerous dermatoses. Biofeedback can be helpful in cutaneous problems that have an autonomic nervous system component. This article is an attempt to summarize the literature in the field of psychodermatologic disorders, focusing on treatment alternatives. My search showed that there is a distinct lack of randomized controlled trials of the efficacy of treatment, and more research is required.