PSYCHODERMATOLOGY - AN UPDATE

It has been estimated that in at least one third of dermatology patien ts, effective management of the skin disorder involves consideration o f associated emotional factors. This article provides an overview of p sychodermatology with a focus on the more recent literature and an emp hasis on the clinical aspects and psychologic therapies for (1) cutane ous associations of psychiatric disorders and (2) psychiatric associat ions of certain cutaneous disorders that are known to be influenced by psychosomatic factors. This article also provides an update on the us e of psychotropic drugs (i.e., the antianxiety, antidepressant, and an tipsychotic agents) for the treatment of mental disorders that occur i n conjunction with cutaneous conditions. Some of their other pharmacol ogic properties, such as the antihistaminic and analgesic effects of s ome antidepressant agents are also reviewed.