Acne and its psychological effect

Lolita Nagytė1, Emilija Bernotaitė1

1Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Academy of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kaunas, Lithuania

Abstract

Acne is very common chronic inflammatory disease, which affects 85% of persons 12 to 25 years. It is known, that acne is multifactorial disease- it occurs when different pathological mechanisms work together. The clinical manifestations include comedones, papules, pustules, nodules. These lesions usually occur in face, neck, back, chest areas. Clinical studies revealed, that acne has huge impact on life quality. This disease usually is chronic and that cause psychological discomfort, anxiety. Patients with acne are at higher risk to experience anxiety disorders, depression symptomatology or suicidal ideas in comparison to healthy persons. Data research revealed, that impact of acne on life quality can be similar to asthma, diabetes or arthritis. It is thought, that the main way to avoid psychosocial impact while having acne, is adequate and fast treatment. Aim: To select and analyze publications of psychosocial impact of acne and to determine the prevalence of depression, anxiety in acne patients. Methods: the review of literature was conducted using the „PubMed“ medical database, publications which analyze ance psichosocial impact were researched. The keyword „acne“ was combined with „depression“ and „anxiety disorders“. Conclusion: After reviewing literature were found out the most common psychological disorders in acne and its frequency. This study may help understand acne not only as skin disease, but also its psychological aspects.

Keywords: Acne; depression; anxiety disorders