title: Psychodermatology.
abstract: Psychodermatology is an underappreciated field that studies psychocutaneous disorders, which are conditions that have both dermatologic and psychiatric characteristics. Underlying psychiatric comorbidity is estimated to occur in up to one-third of dermatologic patients, and psychiatric illness may either be the cause or the consequence of dermatologic disease. Psychodermatologic patients lack insight and often do not recognize a psychiatric etiology for their symptoms and therefore comprise some of the most challenging cases to treat. Herein, we discuss the background and clinical presentation of the most commonly encountered psychodermatologic conditions, including delusional infestation, neurotic excoriations, factitial dermatitis, trichotillomania and body dysmorphic disorder, followed by practical diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations.
authors.affiliation: University of Arizona, College of Medicine, Tucson, Ariz., USA.
authors.forename: Gabrielle E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Mona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Malakouti
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sorenson
authors.forename: Rishu
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: John Y M
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Koo
mesh_terms: D057215:Body Dysmorphic Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D014256:Trichotillomania / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy