Somatization disorders in dermatology.
This paper reviews a wide range of somatization-related symptoms that are encountered in dermatology. These include the unexplained cutaneous sensory syndromes especially the cutaneous dysesthesias associated with pain, numbness and pruritus; traumatic memories in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) which are experienced on a sensory level as 'body memories' and may present as local or generalized pruritic states, urticaria and angioedema; and unexplained flushing reactions and profuse perspiration, in addition to unexplained exacerbations of stress-reactive dermatoses such as psoriasis and atopic eczema secondary to the autonomic hyperarousal in PTSD; classic 'pseudoneurologic' symptoms associated with dissociation including unexplained loss of touch or pain, in addition to the self-induced dermatoses such as dermatitis artefacta and trichotillomania that are encountered with dissociative states; and body dysmorphic disorder where the patient often presents with a somatic preoccupation involving the skin or hair.
Gupta
Madhulika A
MA
Department of Psychiatry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada. magupta@uwo.ca
D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004213:Dissociative Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010292:Paresthesia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D012803:Sick Role; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications