Psychocutaneous Diseases

The skin and the central nervous system arise from the same embryonal tissue, the ectoderm; this is the reason of the continual two-way interaction between the skin and the psyche. There are various psychocutaneous disorders, that, adopting a highly simplified model, can be grouped as follows: “somatopsychic” disorders (when the body is primarily involved, and mental disturbances are a consequence of the physical damage) and “psychosomatic” disorders (when psychological or psychiatric disorders lie at the origin of the problem, while the somatic disturbances are the secondary effect). Psychodermatology (a subspecialty of dermatology and psychiatry) is a field of medicine in continual evolution, and the close interrelation between the two specialist fields is necessary to ensure high-quality integrated patient treatment. The therapeutic approach to psychocutaneous disorders is based above all on an optimal doctor–patient collaboration: the relationship must be empathic, genuine, and respectful, and will require several continuous visits to make a complete evaluation. On the base of the above considerations and in view of the considerable percentage of dermopatients with psychiatric disturbances, it is imperative that the dermatologist be familiar with most common psychological and psychiatric disorders, as well as working in close collaboration with psychiatrists and psychologists to ensure the optimal management of these patients.