Abstract

TORALES, Julio César et al. Psychodermatology: An introduction to its concepts, nosology and approach models. An. Fac. Cienc. Méd. (Asunción) [online]. 2020, vol.53, n.2, pp.127-136. ISSN 1816-8949.  https://doi.org/10.18004/anales/2020.053.02.127.

It is impossible to separate the physical illness from the mental illness, since the pathophysiology of any disease contains the psychological sphere within its multiple elements. In this sense, many medical specialties can claim their relationship with Psychiatry, since there are innumerable diseases that have a link with psychiatric signs and symptoms (for example, inflammatory bowel disease in Gastroenterology; bronchial asthma in Pneumology, among others). However, with Dermatology the relationship is much more evident. Psychodermatology is a specialty that arises from the conjunction of two apparently divergent branches of Medicine: Psychiatry and Dermatology. In Psychodermatology, some patients present mainly dermatological diseases with secondary psychosocial comorbidities, while others have primary psychiatric disorders with significant cutaneous symptoms. Also, because various dermatologic diseases are not only frequently accompanied by pain and discomfort, but are immediately visible to others, people affected from these conditions can suffer social and emotional consequences. Based on the above, this review article presents the concepts, nosology, and approach models of this medical science, emphasizing that due to the permanent interaction between the mind and the skin, it is necessary for the patient to be treated as an unit made up of several levels, including cutaneous, emotional and mental aspects.

Keywords : Psychiatry; Dermatology; Psychodermatology..

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