Psychodermatology: The Mind and Skin Connection

American Family Physician,  Dec 1, 2001  by John Koo,  Andrew Lebwohl

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Even though many patients adjust to their skin disease, if the physician notes that the patient is experiencing significant distress it is important to explore this issue and decide whether referral to a mental health professional or dermatologic support group might help. If the depression, social phobia or secondary psychopathology is of significant intensity, referral to a psychiatrist may be warranted. Table 3 lists contact information for some dermatologic support groups.

TABLE 3

Contact Information for Dermatologic Support Groups

National Psoriasis Foundation
 6600 SW 92nd Ave., Suite 300
 Portland, OR 97223
 Ph: 503-244-7404 or 800-723-9166
 Web: http://www.psoriasis.org

National Alopecia Areata Foundation
 710 "C" St., Suite 11
 San Rafael, CA 94901
 Ph: 415-456-4644
 Web: http://www.alopeciaareata.com

National Vitiligo Foundation
 P.O. Box 6337
 611 South Fleishel Ave.
 Tyler, TX 75701
 Ph: 903-531-0074
 Web: http://www.vitiligofoundation.org

National Eczema Association for Science and Education
 1220 SW Morrison, Suite 433
 Portland, OR 97205
 Ph: 503-228-4430
 or 800-818-7546
 Web: http://www.eczema-assn.org

Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation
 337 Notch Hill Rd.
 North Branford, CT 06471
 Ph: 203-315-2190
 Web: http://www.ocfoundation.org

The authors indicate that they do not have any conflicts of interest. Sources of funding: none reported.

JOHN KOO, M.D., is director of the Psoriasis and Skin Treatment Center and Phototherapy Unit and associate clinical professor and vice chairman for the department of dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco, Medical Center. He earned his medical degree from Harvard Medical School, Boston, and served a residency in psychiatry at the University of California, Los Angeles, Neuropsychiatric Institute, and a residency in dermatology at UCSF.

ANDREW LEBWOHL is a research assistant at the University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine.

Address correspondence to John Koo, M.D., Psoriasis Treatment Center, 515 Spruce St., San Francisco, CA 94118. Reprints are not available from the authors.

REFERENCES

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