Psychodermatology: The Psychological Impact of Skin Disorders

by Carl Walker (Editor), Linda Papadopoulos (Editor)

Overview

Psychodermatology covers all aspects of how the mind and body interact in relation to the onset and progression of various skin disorders. This book is the first text written by a multidisciplinary team of psychiatrists, psychologists, child specialists and dermatologists for all the health professionals who treat patients with skin problems. They cover a broad range of issues affecting these patients, including: stigma, coping, relationships, psychological treatments, the impact on children, comorbidities, psychoneuroimmunology, quality of life and psychological treatments.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521542296
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	08/18/2005
Pages:	170
Product dimensions:	6.89(w) x 9.76(h) x 0.51(d)

Table of Contents

Preface; Acknowledgements; 1. Introduction Carl Walker; 2. Psychoneuroimmunology Leslie Millard; 3. Psychiatric comorbidity in dermatologic disorders Madhulika A. Gupta; 4. Stigmatisation and skin conditions Gerry Kent 5. Coping with chronic skin conditions: factors important in explaining individual variation in adjustment Andrew Thompson; 6. Skin disease and relationships Litsa Anthis; 7. The impact of skin disease on children and their families Penny Titman; 8. Psychological therapies for dermatological problems Linda Papadopoulos; 9. Research methodology in quality of life assessment Andrew Finlay; 10. Psychodermatology in context Carl Walker.

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Patricia Wong, MD (Private Practice)
Description: The psychological impact of skin diseases has on patients is presented in a clinical fashion to aid dermatologists and other primary care givers. Understanding what type of DSM personalities may request certain types of care, how skin diseases in children affect parents and relationships with other children, how skin disease can affect intimacy and the studies looking at these psychosocial issues are addressed.
Purpose: The purpose is to educate and help dermatologists in considering the psychological aspects of skin care.
Audience: The audience is all health professionals treating individuals with skin disorders.
Features: Coping strategies developed by patients for dealing with their skin problems are important to address in order to have treatment be successful and to enhance compliance with the prescribed regimen. The brief discussion on the effects stress has on the neuroendocrine and autoimmune pathway is interesting. I would have enjoyed a longer chapter on the topic. The strength of the book is how it makes the provider aware of the complicated interplay between the psyche and disease.
Assessment: The concepts presented are worthwhile. This is an introductory companion text and could be read with Psychocutaneous Medicine by Dr. John Koo (Marcel Dekker, 2003).

Doody's Review Service

'This useful little book, by a multidisciplinary team of psychiatrists, psychologists and dermatologists gives an excellent coverage of topics ranging all the way from stigma to psychoneuroimmunology, and can be recommended to all health professionals …' Journal of Mental Health

From the Publisher

3 Stars from Doody