Background: Among our dermatologic outpatients who respond little or only temporarily to dermatologic therapeutic methods alone patients with psychogenic pruritic disorders are frequently seen. Objective: This study was conducted to uncover the underlying psychopathologies of the patients suffering from psychopruritic disorders. Methods: Patients who came to our dermatologic clinic were screened by a dermatologist for possible underlying psychopathologies. In order of their reference 65 patients, 16 male and 49 female, were introduced to a psychiatrist for identification of their mood, personality and thought disorders. These cases included 36 patients with lichen simplex chronicus (LSC), 20 with neurotic excoriation (NE), 1 with prurigo nodularis (PN), and 8 with more localized or generalized intermittent, short-term, and usually very severe pruritus without any physical signs (i.e. with no lichenification or no signs of scratching) who were labeled as psychogenic pruritus (PP). A semi-structured interview based on multiaxial DSM-IV interview criteria as well as Beck’s and Tailor’s inventories for depressive and anxiety disorders were performed with all patients. Results: All 65 patients were found to have affective disorders including depressions (20 cases), anxieties (6 cases), and mixed anxiety and depressive disorders (39 cases). 12 patients also had associated personality disorders. No thought disorder was identified. Conclusion: Patients with psychogenic pruritus had one or more underlying psychopathologies. These should be identified and approached for helpful and successful management of their skin condition.

This content is only available via PDF.
© 2001 S. Karger GmbH, Freiburg
2001
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.