“Psycho-Dermatology: Mental Health Beyond Boundaries”

Modern clinical psychology correlates with several areas of other sciences. These areas are being reflected by a lot of new research work and new dimensions of practices of medical and paramedical practitioners. Psycho- dermatology is one of those areas, it combines two different perspectives of treatment implied in remedying dermatological problems, medical model and psychological model collide to get through in the process.

This new field helps to understand and discard the psychological issues that appear co- morbidly with dermatological diseases. The impact of psychological influence on dermatological disease and vice versa is being studied nowadays. There are many psychological causes identified as impelling factors for several dermatological conditions like psoriasis, acne, eczema, itching and other skin problems which can be influenced by anxiety, depression, prolonged stress, and many others. These factors can be eliminated by implying psycho- therapeutic techniques. This also suggests that implying psychotherapy can help to relive the dermatological problem too.

There are three interrelations seen through researches which helps to explore the inter-relations between mind and skin and to compel the treatment modules and effectiveness as well as reasoning the relapses-

1. Psychological aspects distressing skin- As there is a connection between mind and body, where the body gets influenced whenever mind has acted so, for example, whenever we get angry, the face gets red, the body temperature increases, in association to physical arousal. The psychological distress can initiate or worsen the skin conditions in association to the success of treatment.
2. Dermatological aspects distressing mind A distortion in the appearance of the skin can be potentially distressful. Severe acne, psoriasis, rosacea, these conditions may trigger the feelings of shame, guilt, which might result is lower the self-esteem quality of life, interpersonal communication. It sometimes, may lead to symptoms of anxiety, depression, stress, suicidal ideation, social anxiety, and social withdrawal. These conditions may differ considering appearance. This may also differ in influence by some secondary factors such as resilience and coping mechanisms, which can reduce or deteriorate the psychological impact. These conditions can be treated with psycho- therapeutic techniques which relieve the associated psychological problems.
3. Psychiatric disorders those co- morbid dermatological conditions- Some dermatological conditions are observes along with the psychiatric disorders, which may act as a part of psychopathic deviance, such as trichotillomania, compulsive skin pricking, body dysmorphic disorder.

The psycho- therapeutic techniques and social support may act as a helping factor in the better treatment of dermatological conditions and a better multidisciplinary substitute to current methods of treatment.