Acne Causes Social Phobia!
Published:July 20th, 2011
Acne is not just another simple skin problem. In fact, it can cause social phobia in 45.7 percent of patients with acne vulgaris, suggests a new study conducted by a group of researchers from Dicle University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Turkey and published in the June 2011 issue of the European Journal of Dermatology.
Having acne is a well-recognized cause of adverse psychological consequences. In this particular study, the researchers tried to determine the frequency of social phobia and anxiety in patients with acne vulgaris, the severe form of acne. They have recruited 140 patients with this particular skin problem and another 98 healthy subjects for the control group. Acne severity was assessed and determined among the subjects. A psychiatrist was then invited to interview each of the recruits and their anxiety level was assessed using the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Sheehan Disability Scale. Their findings? Social phobia was present in 45.7 percent of patients with acne vulgaris. Comparatively, only 18.4 percent of patients from the control group has this psychological problem. Furthermore, patients with acne vulgaris has more cases of occupational disability, social dysfunction and family problems compared to those without this severe skin problem. Therefore, the researchers concluded that social phobia may be a very common psychiatric comorbidity and psychological disability in patients with acne vulgaris. However, more researches are necessary involving larger scale population to establish these facts.
Recommendation: Family doctors, dermatalogists and even family members with patients suffering from acne vulgaris should also determine the presence of social phobia and anxiety as a possible comorbidity. The focus of treatment should never be in treating the skin problem alone. A more holistic approach is necessary to prevent possible psychological and psychiatric complications brought about by acne vulgaris.
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