Psychology and Skin

Question 1

What are the 5 main areas of of potential impact of skin disease on QoL (quality of life)?

Answer 1

• Physical comfort and functioning
• Acceptability to self and others
• Emotional well-being / self-esteem
• Social functioning / behavioural
• Confidence in the nature and management of the condition (self-mastery)

Question 2

Describe Psychosomatic skin disease

Answer 2

• Primary skin disease precipitated or exacerbated by emotional factors
• Secondary psychiatric illness arising from or exacerbated by primary skin disease
• Primary psychiatric disorder which is manifest via skin lesions

Question 3

Describe the basic psychodermatological care

Answer 3

• Engage patient, generate rapport
• Active listening
• Non-judgemental
• Genuineness, treat seriously
• Empathise •Generate trust + hope + respect
• Own the patient – “I will be your doctor” or they may become an orphan

Question 4

What are some of the physchosocial variables affecting vulnerability to illness?

Answer 4

• Presence of abuse at some point in life
• Life events
• Grief reactions
• Perception of an environment as exceeding personal resources
• Interpersonal relationships providing a buffering role for stress
• Psychological assets and well-being

Question 5

Define what is meant by pyschosomatic ?

Answer 5

A physical illness or other condition caused or aggravated by a mental factor such as internal conflict or stress.

Question 6

When should you adopt a pyschosomatic approach ?

Answer 6

• When signs of emotional distress
• When medical Rx alone is not effective
• Psychiatric disorder but do not wish to see a psychiatrist
• When symptoms not compatible with signs
• When clinical + pathological features do not correlate

Question 7

What can be done to assess the impact someones dermatological condition is having on them mentally?

Answer 7

DQLI