OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE SPECTRUM AND QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG PATIENTS WITH COSMETIC DERMATOLOGICAL DISEASES

Abstract

Psychodermatology or psychocutaneous medicine describes an interaction between dermatology and psychiatry. It encompasses disorders prevailing on the boundary between psychiatry and dermatology. Skin has a special place in psychiatry with its responsiveness to emotional stimuli and ability to express emotions such as anger, fear, shame and frustration, and by providing self-esteem, the skin plays an important role in the socialization process, which continues from childhood to adulthood. Skin is an organ that has a primary function in tactile receptivity and reacts directly upon emotional stimuli. Dermatological practice involves a psychosomatic dimension. Psychodermatology is divided into three categories according to the relationship between skin diseases and mental disorders. Psychophysiologic (psychosomatic) disorders caused by skin diseases triggering different emotional states (stress), but not directly combined with mental disorders (psoriasis, eczema). Primary psychiatric disorders responsible for self-induced skin disorders (trichotillomania) and Secondary psychiatric disorders caused by disfiguring skin (ichthyosis, acne conglobata, vitiligo), which can lead to states of fear, depression or suicidal thoughts. Drug reactions occur at the skin more often than at any other site. The incidence of drug-induced skin reactions due to psychotropic drugs has been reported at 0.1%. Clinically relevant cutaneous drug reactions span multiple classes of psychotropic agents, with 39% of these reactions due to mood stabilizers, 29% due to antidepressants, and19% due to neuroleptics. Moreover,the most commonly reported corticosteroid-induced psychiatric disturbances are affective,