Stress And Skin Disorders

Dermatological conditions are intimately related to stress. Stress can affect, reveal or even exacerbate a number of skin disorders, including alopecia, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, pruritus, herpes, lichen planus, rosacea and urticarial. On the other hand, the skin disease itself could induce a secondary stress for the patient, influencing his or her quality of life. There is increasing evidence that stress influences disease processes and contributes to inflammation through the modulating hypothalamicpituitary- adrenal axis – releasing neuropeptides, neurotrophins, lymphokines and other chemical mediators from nerve endings to dermal cells. This is one of the first books published on this topic, focusing more on the basic science aspects of stress in dermatopathology (oxidants, antioxidants, and oxidative injury in dermatopathology, dermatopharmacology, and dermatotoxicology.) Most Psychodermatology texts adopt a practical approach to identify all types of Psychodermatology disorders, focusing on clinical treatment. This concise title offers a comprehensive and didactic approach to skin diseases caused or exacerbated by stress, as well as covers the immunology, role and effect of stress on skin disease, and quality of life in dermatology. In the current programs of medical residency in dermatology, little is taught about the relationship between stress and skin diseases and this book is an important tool for young dermatologists and psychodermatologists in training.

Practicing dermatologists are likely to encounter several patients who have psychological difficulties in dealing with various skin conditions. While there are several factors that might be responsible for these difficulties (such as physical and mental stress), it is becoming increasingly clear nowadays that skin disease patients experiencing such issues need to be managed with a multidisciplinary approach to improve treatment outcomes. Skin and the Psyche delves into the realm of psychodermatology – the cusp of dermatology, psychology and psychiatry. The book enhances the reader´s knowledge about relevant topics such as the biology of the skin, the impact of stress on skin inflammation, acne vulgaris, skin diseases secondary to delusions and other psychiatric diseases, psoriasis and much more. Different forms of non-pharmacological treatments of these diseases are also mentioned. The book also contains a concise guide to building a psychodermatology clinic. Skin and the Psyche is a vital reference for dermatologists, hospital managers and psychiatrists looking for tips to improve their ability to interact with individuals while assisting them to cope with dermatological diseases and conditions.

This book is the first text written by a multidisciplinary team of psychiatrists, psychologists, child specialists and dermatologists for all the health professionals who treat patients with skin problems. They cover a broad range of issues affecting these patients from stigma and coping to quality of life and psychological treatments.

Skin disease can be more than skin deep Our skin is one of the first things people notice about us. Blemishes, rashes, dry, flaky skin – all these can breed insecurity, even suicidality, even though the basic skin condition is relatively benign. Skin disease can lead to psychiatric disturbance. But symptoms of skin disease can also indicate psychological disturbance. Scratching, scarring, bleeding, rashes. These skin disturbances can be the result of psychiatric disease. How do you help a dermatological patient with a psychological reaction? How do you differentiate psychological causes from true skin disease? These are challenges that ask dermatologists, psychiatrists, psychologists and other health care specialists to collaborate. Practical Psychodermatology provides a simple, comprehensive, practical and up-to-date guide for the management of patients with psychocutaneous disease. Edited by dermatologists and psychiatrists to ensure it as relevant to both specialties it covers: History and examination Assessment and risk management Psychiatric aspects of dermatological disease Dermatological aspects of psychiatric disease Management and treatment The international and multi-specialty approach of Practical Psychodermatology provides a unique toolkit for dermatologists, psychiatrists, psychologists and other health care specialists needing to care for patients whose suffering is more than skin deep.

This publication presents currently available evidence about the extent to which dermatological diseases may, through their own nature as well as a multitude of comorbidities and their important interactions with social life, impair the life course of patients. Divided into four parts, the book starts with a brilliant introduction that highlights the importance of a life course approach in medicine from a medical as well as from a psychosocial point of view. The second part provides a basic presentation of the theoretical aspects of life course research and, more specifically, to the concepts of allostatic load and cumulative life course impairment (CLCI). The third part examines concepts related to CLCI, such as the 'quality of life in dermatology' or the 'major life changing decisions' influenced by dermatological diseases. The book concludes with an in-depth investigation of specific diseases where the concept of CLCI strikes as particularly relevant. The new and innovative evidence presented in this publication makes it essential reading to anyone who has to take social implications of skin diseases into account in their decision making: dermatologists, allergologists, pediatricians and general practitioners as well as researchers in medical sociology or opinion leaders in public health.

As suffers will know, any dermatological condition can have a devastating effect leading to feelings of isolation and depression. Filling the gap between medical advice and lay knowledge, Understanding Skin Problems provides crucial information to help you understand the various aspects of your condition - psychological and social as well as medical - so that you can improve the quality of your life and learn to cope better with the problem. Written in easy-to-understand language, it offers a positive, hopeful outlook and includes lists of organizations for further help. * Broad coverage relevant to a wide range of skin conditions * Written in a very accessible style * Lists of further help, organisations etc included Linda Papadopoulos is a Reader in Psychology and a chartered counselling and health psychologist. She currently works as a course director at London Guildhall University. She has published extensively in the fields of medical and counselling psychology and has been invited to present her research at various international conferences. She has also appeared on a variety of television programmes such as 'Big Brother' as their expert psychologist. Carl Walker is a Research Psychologist at London Guildhall University where he is currently finishing a PhD in psychodermatology. He comes from a biological background, having graduated in biology from Royal Holloway and Bedford New College, University of London.