ABSTRACT

The term psychocutaneous diseases include various dermatological diseases which are affected by stress and psychiatric symptoms. The current most widely accepted classification of the psychocutaneous diseases is recommended by Koo and Lee and it is based on the etiology of the disease. In primary psychocutaneous diseases, the underlying pathology is completely psychiatric and patients deal with their skin problems rather than psychiatric problems. In the treatment of the patients the best results are obtained from dermatologists and psychiatrists collaboration. Directing these patients to the psychiatrist is not recommended because of increasing the risk for suicide and the possibility of developing severe psychosis. Dermatologists should be able to educate patients about the effects of stress and psychiatric problems on skin diseases and when necessary dermatologists should be able to start patients on psychotropic medication. It is evident that a dermatologist who has better communication with patients and has adequate knowledge on neuroleptics and antidepressants will be able to achieve better results from the treatment. In this review, psychocutaneous diseases frequently encountered in the clinic were discussed.