The Mind-Skin Connection
Does stress cause your acne or rosacea to flare up? Or do you chew your nails to the quick? Experts say emotions can have an impact on your skin.
New Field, New Treatment Possibilities continued...
Perhaps, she suggests, a social worker, marriage counselor, or psychiatrist can help. But if the patient is clinically depressed as a result of a skin condition, depression is causing the skin condition, or they are suffering from a psychosis or obsessive-compulsive disorder and might be hurting themselves, safer and easier-to-tolerate medications are available, she says.
The bottom line is that "if the dermatologist and patient are both aware that the stressors exist, then they are better suited to deal with problem, but if no-one talks about it, it can't be addressed." Sekula-Gibbs urges patients to "speak frankly to your doctor about issues that are bothering you."
