PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY FOR DERMATOLOGICAL PATIENTS

In the recent past, there has been great progress made in making psych opharmacologic agents both more efficacious and more user friendly. If dermatologists are to more effectively treat psychodermatologic patie nts who refuse to see a mental health professional, judicious and resp onsible use of psychopharmacology is still the most feasible way to tr eat many of these patients. This article illustrates the use of severa l commonly used psychopharmacologic agents. Even for psychiatrists, it is not realistic to try to master all psychopharmacologic agents that are on the market. Familiarity with the use of medications discussed in this article is likely to add significantly to the therapeutic arma mentarium of a dermatologic practitioner.