Have you heard about psychodermatology?

It is the branch of medicine that addresses skin conditions that have a psychological element.

In this post, we help you understand this brand new area of ​​skin care research and treatment. You may be dealing with a skin condition right now that may benefit from treatment at a psychiatric clinic.

Psychodermatology: where psychiatry and dermatology meet

Psychodermatology is the study of the relationship between the skin and the mind. We’ve talked about this connection before on CV SkinLabs, specifically how stress can cause dryness and accelerate aging.

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), there is a strong link between skin and psychology. Until recent years, scientists didn’t know how strong this connection was. In a 2020 review, they found that serotonin—a “good mood” neurotransmitter in the brain—plays an important role in skin homeostasis. (Keeping things simple.)

They also found that psychological stress can exacerbate skin diseases such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and eczema.

In another review, researchers found that not only does stress negatively affect the skin, but that there is “cross-talk” between the brain and the skin to such an extent that chronic stress can lead to skin aging. Is. One study also showed that 44 percent of patients reported significant stress and anxiety before an initial flare-up of psoriasis, and 80 percent of individuals with recurrent flares.

Other studies have found that among patients with discolored, chronic skin conditions, the prevalence of psychiatric disorders was 30–40 percent. And patients with the skin condition have been found to have a higher prevalence of psychiatric disorders than patients with cancer, heart issues, and combined brain disorders.

Even more interesting research has found that stimuli received in the skin can affect the immune, endocrine (hormonal) and nervous systems.

All this shows us that the skin and brain work together and it makes sense to treat not only the skin, but also the mind.

Types of Psychodermatologic Disorders

According to research, psychodermatological disorders fall into three categories:

1. Psychophysiological Disorders: These conditions are associated with skin problems that are not directly related to the mind, but react to emotional states such as stress. Examples include psoriasis and eczema.
2. Primary mental disorder: These include psychiatric conditions resulting in self-induced skin conditions such as trichotillomania (hair pulling) and delusions of parasitosis (the belief that there are worms or insects crawling under one’s skin).
3. Secondary mental disorder: These have been linked to worsening skin disorders. Malignancy results in psychological problems such as low self-esteem, depression, humiliation or social phobia.

According to statistics, emotional disorders occur in a third of all patients of dermatology. Here are some more examples of skin conditions that fall under each of these categories:

Pychophysiological disorders- which may be aggravated by stress and other emotional states:

• acne
• alopecia areata
• atopic dermatitis
• psoriasis
• psychogenic purpura
• Rosacea
• seborrheic dermatitis
• urticaria (hives)

Self-inflicted skin problems resulting from a primary mental disorder—psychiatric condition:

• illusion of parasitosis
• dysmorphophobia
• factitious dermatitis
• neurotic excitement
• trichotillomania

Secondary mental disorders – psychological problems occur as a result of worsening of the skin condition:

• alopecia areata
• cystic acne
• hemangioma
• fishy
• Kaposi’s sarcoma
• psoriasis
• White spot

Doctors and dermatologists now know that understanding the psychological context of skin diseases is key to managing them well. Once they diagnose a condition—either psychological or dermatologic—they use a two-pronged approach to address each of them.

How are psychodermatological skin conditions treated?

Because many people are not yet aware of how closely linked the brain and mind are, it is common for many patients with skin conditions to resist psychiatric consultation or treatment.

“I don’t need a psychiatrist!” A person with psoriasis might say.

The hope is that we can all get the message out there, because treating both sides of the problem can help anyone with a skin condition better manage it and improve it.

Depending on how these types of conditions are treated, options include the following:

• psychotropic medication
• stress management course
• referral to a psychiatrist
• relaxation/meditation techniques
• support groups
• Topical treatments to relieve skin problems
• oral medications if needed

Should You Incorporate Psychodermatology Into Your Skin Care?

Knowing how big a role your mental state can play in how your skin functions and feels can help you find better solutions to any skin problems you may have.

For example, people with psoriasis may notice flare-ups when they are stressed, and may also suffer from self-esteem issues when plaques appear on their skin.

If you suffer from eczema, you may find that it gets worse when you’re going through stressful times, which can increase your stress levels even more.

Even if you have a mild to moderate case of acne, you may benefit from the specialized approach that psychosurgery can provide.

We offer you some general approaches to managing your mind-skin connection below. But if you have a difficult skin condition that hasn’t responded to other types of standard skin care, you might also consider seeking psychiatric help.

Your flares may keep coming back, no matter what you do. Or you are suffering from depression related to a skin condition that is affecting your quality of life.

The point is to think about what else could be affecting your skin, and how you can address it. For many patients, adding a psychological approach to their skin care treatment plan can be life-changing.

Unfortunately, since this area of ​​research is so new, there are only a few physicians who truly specialize in psychophysiology. Plus, a lot of insurance providers won’t pay for it.

If you’re dealing with a difficult skin condition, it may be worth seeking out a provider who may be able to help you. Talk to your dermatologist about your options.

Using Psychodermatology in Your At-Home Skin Care Regimen

In the meantime, whatever your skin condition, the following mental-health exercises may help improve it:

• Use the time you spend taking care of your skin as stress relief. Try to relax and enjoy the sensations. Add a candle, music or a mask to your routine to enhance the calming effects.
• Incorporate at least one (two is better) stress-relieving practice into your daily routine. Good options include journaling, exercise, meditation, yoga, tai chi, pet therapy, writing down what you are grateful for, and walking.
• Make your bedtime routine sacred. Keep a set time for when you begin to relax and incorporate relaxation techniques into your skin care regimen before bed.
• Use non-toxic skin care products like our CV Skinlabs products. They contain harsh chemicals that can stress the skin, worsening the condition of your skin and thus contributing to psychological stress. Our products are completely safe to use, even for the most sensitive skin conditions. We don’t compromise on efficacy, so our products work hard to help restore healthy, clear and glowing skin.

Do you know what pysodermatology was?