Psychological interventions in the management of common skin conditions

Abstract

The nervous system and the skin develop next to each other in the embryo and remain intimately interconnected and interactive throughout life. The nervous system can influence skin conditions through psychoneuroimmunoendocrine mechanisms and through behaviors. Understanding the pathophysiology aids in selection of treatment plans for correcting the negative effects of the psyche on specific skin conditions. Medication options include standard psychotropic medications and alternative herbs and supplements. Other options include biofeedback, cognitive-behavioral methods, hypnosis, meditation, progressive relaxation, the placebo effect, and suggestion. When simple measures fail, combining medications with other therapeutic options may produce better results. Skin conditions that have strong psychophysiologic aspects may respond well to techniques such as biofeedback, cognitive-behavioral methods, hypnosis, meditation, or progressive relaxation that help to counteract stress. Treatment of primary psychiatric disorders that negatively influence skin conditions often results in improvement of those skin conditions. Abnormal conditions of the skin, hair, and nails can also influence the psyche negatively. Treatment of secondary psychiatric disorders such as anxiety or depression that are triggered or exacerbated by the appearance of these skin conditions or the associated discomfort may also be required.

Keywords:

• psychodermatology
• psychosomatic
• psychocutaneous
• skin disorders
• treatment
• standard
• alternative
• non-drug

Overview of psychocutaneous disorders

The nervous system and the skin begin to form and develop side by side in the top layer or ectoderm of the fetus and remain intimately interconnected and interactive throughout life. The neural receptors in the skin may be viewed as the largest sense organ of the body and are key to skin protection and health. Many skin disorders have a significant psychosomatic or behavioral element.¹ Nervous system-skin interactions allow drug and non-drug psychotherapeutic interventions that produce positive effects on many cutaneous diseases. These effects occur through actions of drugs, the autonomic nervous system, local hormones, and neuropeptides, resulting in neurogenic modulation of cutaneous inflammation.² The skin is also affected by brain-regulated behavioral habits which alter exposure to various environmental factors such as sun exposure, and occupational and recreational exposures to animals, plants, and chemicals, and climate changes associated with travel. Skin disorders often have negative effects on the patient’s psychological and social status. Drug and non-drug interventions may help ameliorate the negative effects of the skin disorder on the psyche.³ A combined approach using both drug and non-drug methods is often needed when treating complex cutaneous psychosomatic and somatopsychosocial problems. Patients who are referred by a dermatologist or family physician to a psychiatrist or psychologist often refuse the referral or fail to keep the appointment. Few dermatologists are adequately cross-trained in psychiatry or psychology. A recent review of psychodermatology covered the relevant literature from 1951 to 2004.⁴ The development of subspecialty training in psychodermatology is currently being considered.⁵ How important the psychosocial aspects of skin, hair, and nails are to many individuals is reflected in the large amount of money spent on skin, hair, and nail products, and on cosmetic skin procedures.

Skin disorders with psychophysiologic aspects

Stress and emotion

Inflammatory and sensory skin disorders are significantly influenced by stress and emotion. Griesemer, who trained both as a dermatologist and as a psychiatrist, estimated the effect that emotions had on skin disease for each patient he saw during one year in his practice. From these data he developed an index⁶ of the effects of emotions on specific skin disorders.⁷ The pathways by which stress and emotion affect the nervous system, immune system, and hormonal system and their subsequent effects on inflammation and autonomic functioning and on the skin are still being elucidated. ⁸ Stress can induce or exacerbate anxiety disorders or depression in susceptible individuals. Drugs that reduce anxiety or depression can be helpful in those individuals. No direct anti-stress drug had yet been developed. The non-drug modalities of relaxation, biofeedback, meditation, or self-hypnosis can counteract stress and emotion.⁹ Simple inexpensive temperature-sensitive stress cards can be used to promote hand warming, which is associated with relaxation.¹⁰ Heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback accompanied by slower deeper breathing can also reduce the effects of stress and emotion.¹¹ Compact, highly portable, handheld HRV biofeedback devices such as the HeartMath emWave^® personal stress reliever and the StressEraser^® have recently become available.

Stress and emotion reduction in skin conditions

Inflammatory, immune-mediated, and behavioral skin disorders are influenced by psychosomatic factors.¹² In a recent study, 10% of patients at a dermatology clinic had psychosomatic disorders and another 15% had adjustment disorders.¹³ In conjunction with other appropriate treatments for the skin disorders, reducing stress, emotions, and behavioral habits that impair healing or damage to skin, hair, or nails can enhance response to treatment. Associated anxiety or depression can be treated with anxiolytic drugs or antidepressants.¹⁴ Non-drug methods of stress reduction such as relaxation, meditation, self-hypnosis, physical exercise, or biofeedback can directly counteract the stress.

Acne

Acne vulgaris often flares with stress and premenstrually.¹⁵ With worsening of the acne, many individuals get more stressed, setting up a vicious cycle. Conventional acne treatments can help control the acne, reducing the patient’s stress about having the acne. Stress may also be lessened with relaxation training ¹⁶ or another of the above-mentioned methods.

Alopecia areata

Alopecia areata usually occurs as patchy bald spots where immune dysregulation results in the hair follicles being attacked by inflammatory T-lymphocytes. Alexithymia with difficulty recognizing and describing feelings and dissociative somatization has been reported to be more common in adults with alopecia areata than in controls.¹⁷ Stress can initiate or worsen alopecia areata.¹⁸ The hair loss can aggravate the stress, especially if the hair loss is visible to others. Self-image issues and stress may be treated with self-hypnosis¹⁹ or another of the aforementioned methods.

Atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is produced mainly by scratching and flares with stress though psychoneuroimmunomechanisms. ²⁰ Worsening atopic dermatitis can further stress the patient, who then tends to scratch more and further worsen the dermatitis. Stress may be lessened with cognitive-behavioral methods,²¹ hypnosis or self-hypnosis,²² or another of the above-mentioned methods. If indicated, adjunctive anxiolytic drugs or antidepressants may be employed.

Dermatitis artifacta

Self-induced factitial damage to the skin often occurs in odd otherwise unexplainable forms and may indicate a seriously disturbed patient or may occur for secondary gain.²³ Consultation with a psychiatrist or psychologist is recommended. Often the patient denies self-inflicting the trauma and frequently is noncompliant in obtaining a psychiatric evaluation.

Dyshidrosis

Dyshidrosis consisting of tiny blisters on palms and/or soles typically flares with stress.⁶ In addition to conventional topical treatments, stress reduction can be of benefit. Stress may be reduced by HRV biofeedback, or galvanic skin response (GSR) biofeedback²⁴ or another of the above-mentioned methods.

Erythema nodosum

Erythema nodosum with deep painful red nodules on the legs may worsen with stress. The author has reported a case of resolution of intractable erythema nodosum following hypnoanalysis.²⁵

Herpes simplex

Stress frequently initiates or exacerbates herpes simplex cold sore virus recurrences.²⁶ Along with using conventional antiviral treatments for the herpes, stress reduction may be facilitated with self-hypnosis²⁷ or another of the aforementioned methods.

Hyperhidrosis

Hyperhidrosis of hands, feet, axillae, or forehead has a clear rapid onset correlation with stress.⁶ Locally injected botulinum toxin (Botox^®) can temporarily inactivate acetylcholine release from the nerves associated with sweating.²⁸ Stress may be reduced with GSR biofeedback, or HRV biofeedback²⁹ or another of the above-mentioned methods.

Lichen planus

Lichen planus, an inflammatory pruritic dermatosis, is often triggered or exacerbated by stress. The intense itching and discoloration with hyperpigmentation that typically occur with lichen planus can further fuel the stress. As an indicator of stress, elevated salivary cortisol levels have been detected in patients with oral lichen planus.³⁰ The stress may be reduced using self-hypnosis²⁷ or another of the aforementioned methods.

Lichen simplex chronicus

Thickened plaques of lichen simplex chronicus are produced by rubbing or scratching the skin and are initiated or exacerbated by stress. In some cases, dissociation with somatization may play a role.³¹ Along with standard topical treatments, stress reduction can be beneficial. The stress may be reduced with self-hypnosis²⁷ or another of the above- mentioned methods.

Neurotic excoriations

Neurotic excoriations are skin damage self-induced by scratching,³² and neurotic or psychogenic excoriations are worsened by stress. The stress may be lessened with self-hypnosis³³ or another of the aforementioned methods. The commonly associated anxiety or depression may be treated with adjunctive anxiolytic drugs or antidepressants.

Nummular dermatitis

Nummular dermatitis consists of coin-shaped patches on dry areas of skin and in some individuals can flare with stress. Connections of nerves to mast cells have been noted in the basement membrane zone in nummular dermatitis.³⁴ Along with standard topical treatments, stress reduction can be helpful. The stress may be reduced using self-hypnosis²⁷ or another of the above-mentioned methods.

Perioral dermatitis

Perioral dermatitis, similar to acne but located around the mouth, can be exacerbated by stress or other neurogenic factors.³⁵ Along with conventional topical treatments, stress reduction can be useful. The stress may be reduced with self-hypnosis²⁷ or another of the aforementioned methods.

Pruritus

Pruritus or itching is frequently worsened by stress. Many inflammatory skin diseases are itchy via neuroimmunoendocrine mechanisms.³⁶ See later under neurogenic cutaneous sensory dysesthesias for further discussion of pruritus and its treatment. Stress reduction can be helpful. The stress may be lessened with self-hypnosis²⁷ or another of the above-mentioned methods.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis in many patients flares with stress.³⁷ Along with standard treatments, stress reduction can help reduce flares. Many patients are distressed by the disfigurement of the skin by the psoriatic lesions. Alexithymia with dissociative somatization can aggravate psoriasis and has a higher risk of associated alcoholism.³⁸ Body image issues and stress and may be improved with cognitive-behavioral methods,³⁹ biofeedback, meditation,⁴⁰ relaxation training, or self-hypnosis.⁴¹

Rosacea

With rosacea the facial flushing and the papular inflammations both can flare with stress.⁴² Many rosacea patients are in turn distressed by their facial appearance. Stress may be reduced with self-hypnosis²⁷ or another of the above-mentioned methods.

Seborrheic dermatitis

Stress frequently worsens the scaling and itching of seborrheic dermatitis.³⁶ In addition to conventional treatments for the seborrheic dermatitis, stress may be reduced using self-hypnosis²⁷ or another of the aforementioned methods.

Telogen effluvium

Telogen effluvium is diffuse hair loss and may be acute or chronic. Common initiators are stress, low protein intake, and hormonal changes.⁴³ Stress may be reduced with one of the above mentioned methods. Any accompanying depression may be treated with an antidepressant.¹⁴

Trichotillomania

Stress can worsen the repetitive pulling and twisting behavior that produces trichotillomania.⁴⁴ Reducing stress may be accomplished with self-hypnosis⁴⁵ or another of the aforementioned methods.

Urticaria

Urticaria or hives may be triggered or exacerbated by stress.³⁶ The itchy urticaria can in itself be stressful, creating a vicious circle. Stress may be reduced with self-hypnosis⁴⁶ or another of the above-mentioned methods.

Influence of primary psychiatric disorders on skin diseases

Primary anxiety

Acute or chronic anxiety can worsen many skin disorders. Having a skin disorder can also induce anxiety in susceptible individuals. In a recent study, 13% of patients seen at a dermatology clinic had an anxiety disorder.¹³

Psychogenic pruritus

Psychogenic pruritus or itching initiated or exacerbated by anxiety or psychological trauma or stress should be considered when other causes of pruritus have been ruled out.³⁴ Stress and anxiety may be lessened using self-hypnosis²⁷ or another of the above-mentioned methods. Anxiety may also be treated with anxiolytics.¹⁴

Delusions

Delusions of parasitosis

Delusions of parasitosis occur when the patient insists that they have bugs growing in or on their skin when objectively they do not. This is one of the monomaniacal delusions. Compliant patients generally respond to typical antipsychotics such as pimozide or atypical antipsychotics such as olanzapine or risperidone. Parenterally administered risperidone was found to be particularly effective, since this route of administration had built-in monitoring of compliance.⁴⁷

Primary depression

Depression and risk of self-harm or suicide can occur as a primary process or secondary to a skin disease. Primary depression may also be associated with acts that self-harm the skin such as scratching, picking, digging, burning, cutting, pulling, tearing, or otherwise harming the skin, hair, or nails.⁴⁸ In a recent study, 32% of patients seen at a dermatology clinic had depression.¹³ The majority of patients who have self-inflicted dermatoses such as neurotic or psychogenic excoriations suffer from depression with somatization.⁴⁹ Treating the depression with an antidepressant¹⁴ may help to reduce or eliminate the self-damaging habit.

Impulse control

Acne excoriée

Some patients who pick at their acne excessively are primarily impulsive in their picking. Along with standard treatments for the acne, reducing or stopping the picking habit is necessary. Cognitive–behavioral methods or hypnosis and self-hypnosis⁵⁰ may be used. If these measures fail, hypnoanalysis may be considered.

Neurodermatitis

Some neurodermatitis patients are primarily impulsive in their picking.⁵¹ Cognitive–behavioral methods⁵² or hypnosis and self-hypnosis²⁷ may be of benefit. For resistant cases, hypnoanalysis may be employed.

Trichotillomania

Trichotillomania is currently classified as an impulse control disorder.⁴⁴ Cognitive-behavioral methods may be beneficial.⁵³ Hypnoanalysis may help deal with root causes in refractory cases.

Obsessive–compulsive disorder

Obsessive–compulsive disorder spectrum patterns may be a primary factor in producing skin disease or in exacerbating a pre-existing skin disease such as acne, atopic dermatitis, or psoriasis. In a recent study, about 5% of patients evaluated at a dermatology clinic had obsessive–compulsive disorder.¹³

Acne excoriée

Some acne excoriators are primarily obsessive–compulsive in their picking.⁵⁰ Cognitive-behavioral methods may be helpful, as may selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants.⁵⁴ Hypnosis with pattern-interrupt suggestions may also be of benefit.

Onychotillomania

Onychotillomania is compulsive manipulation causing damage to nails. It may be a form of obsessive–compulsive disorder. ⁵⁵ Cognitive-behavioral methods may be of benefit, as may SSRI antidepressants.⁵⁴ Hypnosis with pattern-interrupt suggestions may also help.

Neurodermatitis

Some patients with neurodermatitis or psychogenic excoriations fit best into the obsessive–compulsive category.⁴⁹ Cognitive-behavioral methods may be of benefit, as may SSRI antidepressants.⁵⁴ In some patients, hypnosis with pattern-interrupt suggestions may be effective. In unresponsive cases, hypnoanalysis may be considered.

Somatization with dissociation

Unexplainable bodily symptoms that have no underlying physical pathology are common both in general medicine and in dermatology. Common somatization with dissociation syndromes in general medicine include chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, and interstitial cystitis.⁵⁶ In dermatology, somatization with dissociation syndromes include unexplained cutaneous sensory syndromes (see below), body memories from traumatic stress in post traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD) that manifest as pruritus, urticaria, or angioedema, self-induced dermatitis artifacta and trichotillomania associated with dissociative states, and body dysmorphic disorder, where the patient has a distorted somatic preoccupation involving the skin or hair.⁴⁹ Among acne patients, 14% to 21% have aspects of body dysmorphic disorder.⁵⁷ Nihilodermia refers to problem patients without objective skin findings but who have recurrent symptoms and are insistent on medical examination and treatment.⁵⁸ Alexithymia is associated with somatization with dissociation and is characterized by difficulty in recognizing and describing feelings.⁵⁹ As a general rule, functional somatic syndromes seem more responsive to active non-drug treatments requiring active patient participation, such as exercise and psychotherapy compared with passive physical procedures and injections. Also, drugs that have a central nervous system action generally are more effective than those that affect peripheral physiologic function. ⁶⁰ If antidepressant treatment alone is ineffective, adding pregabalin may result in improvement.⁶¹

Neurogenic cutaneous sensory dysesthesias

Dysesthesias arising in the central nervous system

Generalized pruritus or itching without any visible skin eruption can be due to metabolic, renal, thyroid, hematologic, and other internal diseases. After ruling these out, central nervous system dysfunction as the source of neurogenic pruritus should be considered. One example is pruritus associated with neurotic excoriations.⁶² Another example is otherwise unexplained pruritus associated with somatization with dissociation. ⁶³ Sedating antihistamines such as hydroxyzine or doxepin have some antipruritic effect, as may some opiate agonists, but for neurogenic pruritus there is no really potent antipruritic drug.

Dysesthesias arising in the peripheral nervous system

Brachioradial pruritus

Brachioradial pruritus or itching of the arm, antecubital fossa, and proximal forearm tends to occur in lightly pigmented individuals who have had extensive chronic sun exposure.⁶⁴ This generally is more prominent during the summer. In some patients, peripheral neuropathic pruritus associated with cervical spinal foramen nerve impingement may be the etiologic factor.⁶⁵ Relief from the pruritus may be obtained by sun protection, topical menthol, topical capsaicin, or oral gabapentin.

Glossodynia

After organic factors for tongue pain such as vitamin deficiency are ruled out, treatment of glossodynia is symptomatic with topical anesthetics. In some cases, oral gabapentin or oral olanzapine may be useful.⁶⁶

Notalgia paresthetica

Notalgia paresthetica is a peripheral neuropathic pruritus of the medial subscapular shoulder blade area that, at least in some cases, may relate to nerve impingement in a thoracic spinal foramen.⁶⁷ The topical antipruritics, menthol or capsaicin, may offer relief, as may oral gabapentin.⁶⁷

Postherpetic neuralgia

Postherpetic neuralgia is a peripheral neuropathic pruritus, pain, or paraesthesia following herpes zoster (shingles). It occurs more frequently in individuals older that 60. Topical treatment with capsaicin four or five times a day, which depletes substance P in the nerves, may be useful. Oral gabapentin also may help reduce the neuropathic sensations. ⁶⁸ Acupuncture and hypnosis²⁷ for pain or pruritus have provided relief in some patients.

Pruritus ani, pruritus scroti, and pruritus vulvae

Organic factors such as pinworms, candidal and fungal infections, and inflammatory skin diseases should be ruled out first. The source of the pruritus ani, pruritus scroti, or pruritus vulvae may be peripheral neuropathic as a result of sacral nerve impingement⁶⁹ or may be psychogenic. Topical pramoxine and hydrocortisone may offer relief for some patients. Oral antihistamines may benefit some patients.⁷⁰

Secondary psychiatric disorders associated with skin diseases

Around 30% of patients with skin disorders are reported to have psychiatric disorders and psychosocial impairments.⁷¹ The overall prevalence of psychological disorders among patients with skin disease is about 25% to 30%, but even higher prevalence rates, above 30%, occur among patients with acne, alopecia, herpes simplex pruritus, and urticaria.⁷² Skin disease with associated psychological morbidity results in poorer quality of life than just having the skin disease alone.⁷³

Secondary anxiety

Acne

In susceptible individuals, acne can lower self-esteem, self-confidence, cause embarrassment, and impair social functioning. In anxiety-prone individuals, acne can also increase anxiety substantially. The added stress and anxiety can cause acne to flare, creating a vicious cycle.⁷⁴ Drug treatments for anxiety include a low-dose benzodiazepine monitored carefully, buspirone, or herbal anxiolytics, such as magnolia bark or passion flower. Relaxation techniques, self-hypnosis, or biofeedback for relaxation can enhance treatment of anxiety without the side effects of drugs.

Urticaria

Urticaria or hives with release of pruritus-inducing histamine can induce anxiety in anxiety-prone individuals. The anxiety can in turn flare the urticaria, creating a vicious cycle.³⁶ The antihistamines diphenhydramine, doxepin, and hydroxyzine are sedating and can reduce anxiety while also reducing the urticaria through their antihistaminic effect.

Secondary depression

For each of the conditions below, patients with major depression should be referred to a psychiatrist for care. SSRIs or tricyclics may be prescribed for minor depression,¹⁴ or the herb St. John’s wort may be recommended. Cognitive-behavioral therapy may also be helpful for depression.

Acne

Acne usually begins in puberty in conjunction with sex hormone changes. Adolescent patients with severe acne had a prevalence of depression of about 18% to 29%, compared with a prevalence of depression of about 5% to 8% for the general adolescent population.⁷⁵ Depressive symptoms are often concealed, denied or expressed through aggressive or disruptive behavior in adolescents. A more severe form of acne, nodulocystic acne, often persists late into adulthood. Oral isotretinoin used to treat nodulocystic acne has been questionably associated with increased depression and suicide.⁷⁶

Alopecia

Hair loss may occur with androgenetic (male pattern) alopecia, alopecia areata (patchy hair loss), scarring from discoid lupus or lichen planopilaris, telogen effluvium (diffuse hair loss), hypothyroidism, as a side effects of drugs, especially cancer chemotherapy drugs, or as a result of behavior such as trichotillomania or traction alopecia. Hair appearance can affect psychosocial functioning. In susceptible individuals, hair loss can induce or exacerbate depression. Alopecia areata can worsen with depression.¹⁶

Atopic dermatitis

The pruritus or itching of atopic dermatitis can aggravate depression in depression-prone individuals, who then often scratch more and worsen their skin disorder.⁷⁷ The antihistamines diphenhydramine, hydroxyzine, and doxepin cause sedation and can reduce pruritus and scratching through their antihistaminic effect. Doxepin is also a tricyclic antidepressant. Individuals with major depression should be referred to a psychiatrist for care. Self-hypnosis with suggestions for soothing can reduce pruritus or itching and give the patient a sense of greater control, which in turn can improve the depression.

Disfigurement

Disfigurement secondary to skin disorders, traumatic injuries, ⁷⁸ and surgeries for skin cancers can aggravate depression in depression-prone individuals. Hypnosis and reframing can alter the patient’s perspective on their disfigurement, secondarily reducing depression.

Malignant melanoma

Metastatic melanoma often has a grim prognosis and can induce situational depression, which in turn degrades the body’s immune response⁷⁹ against the melanoma metastases. Treatment of the depression may enhance the body’s ability to respond against the melanoma.

Psoriasis

In depression-prone individuals, psoriasis can initiate or exacerbate depression, which in turn can enhance the sensation of pruritus.⁷⁷ Injuring the skin by scratching psoriatic plaques can exacerbate the psoriasis. Self-hypnosis can reduce pruritus or itching and give a sense of greater self-control, which in turn can lessen the depression.

Urticaria

In depression-prone individuals, chronic urticaria can initiate or exacerbate depression which can in turn exacerbate pruritus.⁷⁷ Self-hypnosis can reduce pruritus or itching and give a sense of greater self-control, which can lessen the depression. Hypnosis has resolved some cases of chronic urticaria.²⁵

Vitiligo

In depression-prone individuals, vitiligo can initiate or exacerbate depression, especially in darkly pigmented individuals. ⁸⁰ The prevalence of depression in vitiligo patients was 39% in a recent quality of life study.⁸¹ Cognitive-behavioral therapy may help reduce the depression.⁸² Hypnosis can also help to reframe the patient’s perspective on their depigmented lesions, lessening secondary depression.

Therapeutic options

Conventional pharmacologic psychocutaneous therapies

For the most current information on specific products, check the current Physicians’ Desk Reference,⁸³ package inserts, or other appropriate information source to ascertain dosages, indications and usage, review pharmacokinetics, and note contraindications, warnings, precautions, drug interactions, and adverse reactions. Many psychotropic drugs should be started at a low dose and progressively increased to therapeutic range, then tapered as appropriate. ¹⁴ Dosages given in the tables are for the average healthy young or middle-aged adult. Lower initial dosages are recommended in the elderly because of slower renal and/or hepatic clearance.

Antidepressants

SSRIs are used in dermatology to treat depression, anxiety, and obsessive–compulsive spectrum disorders associated with skin diseases. Side effects of SSRIs include nausea, diarrhea, insomnia, or sedation.¹⁴ SSRIs should be started at low dose and titrated upward. Onset of effects of SSRIs is slow, usually taking three to six weeks (see Table 1).

Table 1 Antidepressants used in dermatologic conditions

Category	Agent	Dosage	Side effects	Cautions
SSRI	Citalopram (Celexa^®)	20–40 mg daily	Sedation	SSRIs slow
	Escitalopram (Lexapro^®)	10 mg daily		onset of effect
	Fluoxetine (Prozac^®)	20–80 mg daily	Insomnia	Taper off slowly
	Fluvoxamine (Luvox^®)	25–150 mg bid	GI symptoms	Multiple drug
	Paroxetine (Paxil^®)	20–50 mg daily	Sedation	Interactions
	Sertraline (Zoloft^®)	25–200 mg daily	GI symptoms
	Venlafaxine (Effexor^®)	25–75 mg tid
Tricyclic	Amitriptyline (Elavil^®)	25–50 mg daily	Sedation, dry mouth	Tricyclics
	Clomipramine (Anafranil^®)	25–250 mg daily	Sedation, dry mouth	Risk of seizures
	Doxepin (Sinequan^®)	25–300 mg daily	Sedation
	Imipramine (Tofranil^®)	25–300 mg daily	Orthostatic hypotension	Heart dysconduction
	Nortriptyline (Pamelor^®)	25–150 mg daily	Dry mouth
	Protryptyline (Vivactil^®)	5–20 mg tid	Dry mouth
	Trimipramine (Surmontil^®)	5–50 mg tid	Sedation
NE/DUI	Bupropion (Welbutrin^®)	75–150 mg bid
Herbs	St. John’s wort	300–1200 mg daily	Photosensitivity	Drug interactions
Supplement	SAMe	200–800 mg bid
Non-drug	Exercise	Daily
	Hypnosis	Daily

Abbreviations: bid, twice daily; GI, gastrointestinal; SSRI, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor; NE/DUI, norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitor; SAMe, S-adenosul-L-methionine; tid, three times daily.

Tricylic antidepressants are also used in dermatology for depression and obsessive–compulsive spectrum disorders (see Table 1). Doxepin, which also has antihistaminic properties, is the tricyclic most commonly prescribed by dermatologists. The norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitor bupropion, an aminoketone antidepressant, is less commonly used (see Table 1).

Antipsychotics

Typical (dopamine receptor antagonist) antipsychotics are used in dermatology for delusional psychoses such as delusions of parasitosis, delusions of bromhidrosis, and Morgellons delusions of fibers (see Table 2). Atypical (serotonin-dopamine antagonist) antipsychotics are often used in dermatology for treatment of resistant cases of obsessive–compulsive spectrum disorders, as a second agent in addition to SSRIs (see Table 2).

Table 2 Antipsychotics and anticonvulsants used in dermatologic conditions

Category	Agent	Dosage	Side effects	Cautions
Antipsychotics
Typical	Haloperidol (Haldol^®)	5–20 mg daily acutely Maintenance 1–10 mg daily	Tardive dyskinesia	Mild sedation
	Pimozide (Orap^®)	0.5–10 mg daily acutely Maintenance 0.5–5 mg daily	Tardive dyskinesia
Atypical	Olanzapine (Zyprexa^®) Risperidone (Risperdal^®) Ziprasidone (Geodon^®)	2.5–10 mg daily 1–3 mg daily 20–100 mg bid	Weight gain	Diabetes
Anticonvulsants
GABA	Gabapentin (Neurontin^®) Pregabalin (Lyrica^®)	100–600 mg tid 50–100 mg tid

Abbreviations: bid, twice daily; GABA, gamma amino butyric acid; tid, three times daily.

Anticonvulsants

Gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) elevators are used in dermatology for relief of pain, itching, or paraesthesias in peripheral neuropathies including postherpetic neuralgia (see Table 2).

Anxiolytics

Benzodiazapines are Schedule IV controlled substances because of their potential for abuse and addictive dependence. They tend to be sedating. In dermatology, they are used for pre-procedure anxiety. Generally the short-acting benzodiazapines are preferable for this purpose (see Table 3).

Table 3 Anxiolytics used in dermatologic conditions

Category	Agent	Dosage	Side effects	Cautions
Benzodiazepines	Alazopram (Xanax)	0.25–0.5 mg tid	Short-acting sedation	Use caution
	Lorazepam (Ativan)	1 mg bid–tid	Short-acting sedation	Driving
	Diazepam (Valium)	2–10 mg bid–qid	Long-acting sedation	With each
Azaperone	Buspirone (Buspar)	5–30 mg bid	Very slow acting
Herbs	Magnolia bark	250–750 mg daily
	Passion flower	0.5 1 ml fluid extract Daily–tid
Non-drug	Biofeedback	Daily and prn
	Cognitive-behavioral	Daily
	Hypnosis	Daily and prn		Avoid use driving
	Meditation	Daily and prn		Avoid use driving
	Placebo	Prn
	Suggestion	Prn
	Yoga	Daily and prn

Abbreviations: bid, twice daily; Prn, per required need; tid, three times daily.

The serotonin agonist buspirone is an azaperone. Its advantages are that it is not a controlled substance and is nonsedating. Its disadvantage is that it has a delayed onset of action of about two weeks (see Table 3).

Sedatives

Sedating antihistamines are used extensively in dermatology for pruritus, angioedema, dermatographism, and urticaria. Hydroxyzine and promethazine are also mildly to moderately anxiolytic. In addition, doxepin has antidepressant properties (see Table 4).

Table 4 Sedatives used in dermatologic conditions

Category	Agent	Dosage	Side effects	Cautions
Antihistamines	Certirizine (Zyrtec^®)	10 mg daily	Sedative	Use caution driving
	Diphenhydramine (Benadryl^®)	25–50 mg tid–qid	Sedative	With each
	Doxepin (Sinequan^®)	25–100 mg tid	Sedative
	Hydroxyzine (Atarax^®)	25–100 mg tid	Sedative
	Levocetrizine (Xyzal^®)	5 mg daily	Mild sedative
	Promethazine (Phenergan^®)	25–100 mg tid–qid	Sedative
Herbs	Valerian	300–900 mg daily HS
Supplements	Melatonin	3 mg HS
Nondrug	Hypnosis	HS		Avoid use driving
	Progressive relaxation	HS

Abbreviations: HS, at bedtime; qid, four times daily; tid, three times daily.

Antipruritics

While no really effective antipruritic drugs have been developed, sedating antihistamines may be helpful (see Table 4). Topical antipruritics may also offer relief (see Table 5).

Table 5 Antipruritics used in dermatologic conditions

Category	Agent	Dosage	Side effects	Cautions
Herbs	Capsaicin	Topical qid	Burning sensation	Avoid eyes
	Camphor	Topical prn
	Menthol	Topical prn
Nondrug	Hypnosis	Daily and prn		Avoid use driving

Abbreviations: Prn, per required need; qid, four times daily.

Complementary pharmacological psychocutaneous therapies

Herbs and supplements

Herbal therapy in dermatology was reviewed by Bedi and Shenefelt⁸⁴ and use of herbs and supplements in dermatology by Levin and Maibach.⁸⁵ Further information about individual herbs, their actions, interactions, and adverse effects is available in the PDR for Nonprescription Drugs, Dietary Supplements and Herbs,⁸⁶ The Complete German Commission E Monographs,⁸⁷ and in many other textbooks and monographs. Psychoactive herbs and supplements that may have some indirect impact on skin diseases through anxiolytic, antidepressant, or soporific activities are of particular interest in psychosomatic dermatology. Herbal therapy in psychiatry was reviewed by Sarris.⁸⁸ See the current PDR for Nonprescription Drugs, Dietary Supplements and Herbs for details of their actions, interactions, adverse effects, and literature references.

Antidepressants

Saint John’s wort is approved by the German Commission E for depression. It is helpful in mild to moderate depression but not for severe depression.⁸⁹ It induces cytochrome P450 which changes the metabolism of a number of other drugs. S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe) is also taken as an antidepressant. A meta-analysis of studies comparing SAMe with controls showed significant clinical improvement with SAMe similar to that of standard SSRI treatment, with fewer side effects⁹⁰ (see Table 1).

Anxiolytics

Aromatherapy with lavender oil has been shown to produce a significant reduction in anxiety. Lemon balm has been approved by the German Commission E for nervousness and insomnia. Kava kava has moderate anxiolytic effects, but its use is not recommended because of its potential hepatotoxicity. Magnolia bark has moderate anxiolytic effects⁹¹ and has been used in Japan for a number of years. Passion flower has been approved by the German Commission E for nervousness and insomnia (see Table 3).

Soporifics

Melatonin can produce drowsiness. When it is taken, caution should be used in operating machinery. Valerian has been approved by the German Commission E for insomnia caused by nervousness (see Table 4).

Nonpharmacologic treatments for psychocutaneous disorders

Placebo and nocebo

Expectation forms the basis for the placebo effect. The use of placebo remains controversial.^92,93 The patient expectations, the doctor’s expectations, and the doctor-patient relationship can affect the patient’s experience of treatment, reduce pain, and influence outcome. While positive expectations or suggestions can produce positive placebo results, negative expectations or suggestions can produce negative nocebo results.⁹⁴ Research on the placebo effect illustrates the extent to which the natural healing capacities of individuals can be enhanced and nurtured.⁹⁵ In some common dermatologic conditions, such as acne and urticaria, the placebo effect is about 30%.⁹⁶ Those skin disorders higher on the Griesemer scale⁶⁷ are more likely to have a significant placebo effect.

Suggestion

Suggestion is the effect that words, intonation, and/or nonverbal cues have by association that can be used to change subjective perceptions, reduce pain, and influence outcome. Suggestion has been used to promote healing since antiquity. Bloch⁹⁷ and Sulzberger and Wolf ⁹⁸ reported on the efficacy of suggestion in treating verruca vulgaris (warts), and that efficacy has since been confirmed numerous times to a greater or lesser degree,^99–102 but failed to be confirmed in a few studies.^103,104 A recent study that showed negative results was criticized for using a negative suggestion of not feeding the warts rather than a positive suggestion about having the warts resolve.¹⁰⁵

Cognitive-behavioral methods

Cognitive-behavioral methods alter dysfunctional habits by interrupting and altering dysfunctional thought patterns (cognitions) or actions (behaviors)¹⁰⁶ that damage the skin or interfere with dermatologic therapy. Skin diseases responsive to cognitive-behavioral methods include acne excoriée, atopic dermatitis, factitious cheilitis, hyperhidrosis, lichen simplex chronicus, needle phobia, neurodermatitis, onychotillomania, prurigo nodularis, trichotillomania, and urticaria. Adding hypnosis to cognitive-behavioral therapy can facilitate aversive therapy and enhance desensitization and other cognitive-behavioral methods.¹⁰⁷

Biofeedback

Biofeedback can enhance the patient’s awareness of tension and help them to relax, improving skin disorders that flare with stress or that have an autonomic nervous system aspect. Biofeedback of GSR can help reduce hyperhidrosis (excess sweating). Biofeedback of skin temperature by temperature-sensitive strip or by thermocouple can be used for relaxation,⁹ dyshidrosis, and Raynaud’s syndrome.^108–110 HRV biofeedback can also help reduce the stress response that tends to exacerbate many inflammatory skin disorders. Hypnosis can produce relaxation and enhance the effects produced by biofeedback.¹⁰⁷

Hypnosis

Hypnosis has many useful dermatologic applications. Medical hypnotherapy involves guiding the patient into a trance state of narrowed awareness, focused attention, selective wakefulness, and heightened suggestibility for a specific purpose such as relaxation, pain or pruritus reduction, or habit modification. The hypnotic trance compared with the usual waking state has objectively documented differences in regional cerebral blood flow¹¹¹ and EEG¹¹² patterns. One way that hypnosis may make suggestions more effective is by inhibiting competing thoughts so that the focus can be solely on the suggestion.¹¹³ Hypnosis may improve or clear numerous skin disorders. Examples include acne excoriée, alopecia areata, atopic dermatitis, congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma, dyshidrotic dermatitis, erythromelalgia, furuncles, glossodynia, herpes simplex, hyperhidrosis, ichthyosis vulgaris, lichen planus, neurodermatitis, nummular dermatitis, post-herpetic neuralgia, pruritus, psoriasis, rosacea, trichotillomania, urticaria, verruca vulgaris, and vitiligo.⁷ Generally, high and medium hypnotizables respond better than low hypnotizables, although for many purposes light trance is all that is necessary. Dermatologists should generally not use hypnosis with schizophrenics or others who are not mentally intact. Hypnosis also can reduce anxiety and pain associated with dermatologic procedures. Hypnoanalysis has been successful with reducing erythema nodosum, herpes simplex reactivation, neurodermatitis, neurotic excoriations, rosacea, urticaria, and verrucae (viral warts).²⁵

Conclusion

Skin disorders that produce changes in the appearance of skin, hair, or nails, or changes in sensation can have a major impact on the psyche. Treating the skin disorder effectively often induces psychosocial improvement. The psyche through psychoneuroimmunoendocrine and behavioral mechanisms can in turn have a major impact on skin disorders. Treating the psyche effectively can improve many inflammatory skin disorders. The psychotropic drugs listed above are often somewhat effective by themselves. Adding non-drug psychocutaneous modalities such as biofeedback, cognitive-behavioral methods, hypnosis, or suggestion often synergistically enhance the treatment response. Teaching patients to practice safe stress using these nonpharmacologic methods, supplemented if necessary with anxiolytic standard drugs or herbal alternatives, is important, since many inflammatory skin disorders are worsened by stress. Exercise, meditation, music therapy, progressive relaxation, self-hypnosis, and other stress-reducing methods can enhance overall health and resiliency, as well as achieving improvement in specific skin disorders.

Disclosure

The author reports no conflicts of interest in this work.