Psychodermatology includes the study of psychocutaneous conditions and the psychosocial implications of skin disease. Although the field is relatively new, its basic principles date back thousands of years; Hippocrates himself, in the fifth century BCE, acknowledged the effect of stress on his skin on several occasions.
Clinical Psychodermatology examines the practical aspects of psychocutaneous medicine. The book opens with an introduction to psychodermatology, exploring the interface of psychiatry and dermatology and discussing the current classification system of psychodermatological disorders.
It also provides an overview of the diagnosis and management of psychocutaneous disorders in outpatient practice before examining the interplay between psychiatric medications and dermatological side effects and dermatological medications and psychiatric side effects.
This guide features nearly 50 real-world case reports that illustrate psychodermatological disorders such as
- Alopecia areata
- Delusional infestation
- Dermatitis artefacta
- Prurigo nodularis
- Psoriasis
Each individual patient presentation includes its own diagnosis and tailored treatment approach. The cases themselves are sourced from around the world, including countries such as Poland, Tunisia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates—serving to emphasize the effects of local culture and geographical influences in the presentation of each disorder.
Throughout, clinical photographs augment the understanding of specific psychodermatology cases.
Clinical Psychodermatology is a necessary addition to the literature and a practical, clinically relevant resource for psychiatry and dermatology residents, midlevel providers, psychiatrists, and dermatologists to diagnose and treat psychodermatological disorders
