[Psychological approach to different skin diseases: life events and tendency to complain]

Ann Dermatol Venereol. 2001 Jan;128(1):21-4.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Background: For nearly two decades, dermatology has associated with psychology to find a better way to care for dermatology conditions. A scientific trend called psychosomatics is creating a link between dermatology and psychology.

Objective: The purpose of this article was to examine two concepts closely linked to psychodermatology (life events and tendency to complain) and to emphasize the difference between factors playing a role in the onset of certain skin diseases (psoriasis, alopecia areata, benign tumors, eczema).

Results: We found that psoriasis patients have a greater tendency to complain than people with the other disease. This point to the importance of taking emotions into account when studying psoriasis. We also found that life events play a role in the onset of psoriasis and alopecia areata. Moreover, these events were anterior by more than 12 months in alopecia patients.

Conclusion: We propose exploring emotions in psoriasis patients and life events over the prior year in alopecia areata patients.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Life Change Events*
  • Male
  • Skin Diseases / psychology*