title: The evaluation of primary idiopathic focal hyperhidrosis patients in terms of alexithymia.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the primary focal hyperhidrosis patients in terms of alexithymia. Participants (n = 50) diagnosed with primary focal hyperhidrosis by a dermatologist were referred to a psychiatrist and evaluated via Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders and Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20. The rate of alexithymia was 45.6 percent and 18.2 percent, respectively, for primary focal hyperhidrosis and control participants (n = 44). Multivariate analysis of variance results showed that the primary focal hyperhidrosis group scored significantly higher than the control group in Difficulty Identifying Feelings and Difficulty Describing Feelings subscales, and total score. Psychotherapeutic interventions can increase the chances of dermatological treatment success and can have a positive impact on the quality of life in chronic cases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Gulhane School of Medicine, Turkey. drmehmetak@gmail.com
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ak
authors.forename: Didem
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dinçer
authors.forename: Bikem
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Haciomeroglu
authors.forename: Süleyman
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Akarsu
authors.forename: Nergis
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lapsekili
authors.forename: Simin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ada
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006945:Hyperhidrosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D055815:Young Adult