Psycho-dermatology - The Psychological Impact of Skin Disorders
Psycho-dermatology is a relatively recent specialisation in the realm of psychosomatic medicine. It is the product of the mind's interaction with the skin. Dermatology focuses on "external" visible disorders, whereas psychiatry focuses on "interior" nonvisible ailments. Ectoderm, which unites the two disciplines at the embryonic level, bridges the gap. Skin has a complex interaction with the neuroendocrine and immune systems. Skin reacts to both endogenous and exogenous stimuli, receiving and integrating environmental cues while also communicating internal conditions to the outer world. A psychodermatologic disorder is a condition that involves the interaction of the mind and the skin. Psychodermatologic illnesses are classified into three types: psychophysiologic disorders, primary psychiatric disorders, and secondary psychiatric disorders.