Hypochondriasis Circumscripta: A Neglected Concept with Important Implications in Psychodermatology.
The article is devoted to a psychodermatological disorder with self-destructive behavior - hypochondriasis circumscripta. Presented data are based on a clinical analysis of 22 consecutive cases (15 female; mean age - 56.1 ± 12.6 years) observed in the dermatologic department of First Moscow State Medical University and managed in a multidisciplinary approach by dermatologists and a consultation-liaison psychiatrist. Psychopathology, clinical presentations, historical aspects and treatment options are discussed. The self-inflicted skin lesions result from a severe repetitive autodestruction of focal skin loci primarily affected with heterogeneous sensations associated with a hypochondrical over-valued idea. Hypochondriasis сircumscripta is a serious diagnostic and treatment challenge and should be distinguished from dermatitis artefacta, skin picking disorder and delusional infestation.
Department of Psychiatry and Psychosomatics, I.M.Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia.
Anatoly B
AB
Smulevich
Andrey N
AN
Lvov
Dmitry V
DV
Romanov
D005162:Factitious Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006998:Hypochondriasis / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D012867:Skin / Q000293:injuries*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000523:psychology*