The essentials of psychodermatology

Patients with psychocutaneous disease may present to multiple professionals to seek care. The multidimensional nature of the conditions can lead to specialists being fearful of how to properly manage patients. For example, a dermatologist may be unfamiliar and uncomfortable with acquiring sensitive psychosocial information and a psychiatrist may not know management protocols of wound care related to the patients condition. With the basic information provided in The Essentials of Psychodermatology, healthcare providers can increase their comfort and become less hesitant when making decisions in determining the proper treatment course and assessing the need for referral. This book provides vital information for a multidisciplinary audience to spark collaboration, increased awareness, and ultimately, improved patient-care and will find audience with: Healthcare providers from multiple diverse fields such as, but not limited to, family medicine, dermatology, and psychiatry; Physicians, physicians assistants, nurses, psychologists, and students with exposure to patients with psychocutaneous conditions and/or a special interest in the field; and Professors, educators, and researchers with an interest in psychodermatology or interdisciplinary medicine.

1. Introduction: why to study psychodermatology and to whom it may concern -- 2. Skin and psyche: psychoneuroendocrinoimmunology -- 3. Basic principles of dermatology applied to psychodermatology -- 4. Basic principles of psychopathology applied to psychodermatology -- 5. Classification and terminology of psychodermatologic disorders -- 6. Screening questionnaires, scales and approach to patients with psychodermatologic disorders -- 7. Psychophysiologic dermatoses -- 8. Dermatoses with important psychiatric and social co-morbidities -- 9. Psychodermatologic disorders with primary psychopathology -- 10. Cutaneous sensory disorders -- 11. Common psychotropic treatments used in dermatology, how and when to use -- 12. Principles of psychotherapy applied to the psychodermatologic disorders.