Psychological status of patients with alopecia areata.
Alopecia areata is not painful or life-threatening, but its aesthetic repercussions can lead to profound changes in patients' psychological status and relationships. The psycho-logical status and personality traits of 73 patients and 73 controls were evaluated with the Minnesota Multi-phasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2). Analysis of the MMPI-2 profile showed that scores for some scales (i.e. Depression, Anxiety, Family relationships) were higher for patients with alopecia areata than for controls. Patients with alopecia appeared to experience more depressive, hysterical and anxiety feelings, have more hypo-chondriac tendencies, and to be more in conflict with their social environment. In order to provide more effective management, the psychological status of patients with alopecia areata should be evaluated in dermatological settings.
Laboratory of Health Services Research, Rome, Italy.
Stefania
S
Alfani
Valeria
V
Antinone
Aurelia
A
Mozzetta
Cristina
C
Di Pietro
Cinzia
C
Mazzanti
Piero
P
Stella
Desanka
D
Raskovich
Damiano
D
Abeni
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000506:Alopecia Areata / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006998:Hypochondriasis / Q000523:psychology; D007046:Hysteria / Q000523:psychology; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008016:Life Change Events; D008950:MMPI; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D055815:Young Adult