Short communication, Note
Psychosocial factors in female patient with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis
Edita Simonić
; Clinics for dermatovenerology, CHC Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
Abstract
Aim: According to the new classification of psycho-dermatological disorders, psoriasis is
classified as a psychophysiological disease. Recent studies have associated childhood exposure to
trauma to same skin and joint diseases. Traumatic experiences in childhood combined with genetic
predisposition are considered to be important risk factors in the development of psoriasis
and psoriatic arthritis. Case report: Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are immunologically triggered
diseases and early traumatic experiences are the reason of altered competence of the immune
system with the regulatory problems in systems that control the response to psychologic stress.
We showed a female patient with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis with increased childhood negative
traumatic experiences. Discussion: Emotional neglect, alcoholism of the father, the lack of
sense of security and competence during childhood led to negative and painful emotions with
creating a pattern of discharge that leads through the skin and joints. The dinamics of family relations
formed in an important manner the ongoing of the disease and the ways of dealing with the
difficulties that the desease caused.The common or standardized methods for treating of psoriasis
and psoriatic arthritis that have been used since the beginning of the treatment, did not show
satisfactory results. However, interdisciplinary approach and longterm pshichotherapy resulted in
significant and lasting positve treatment results. During a psychotherapy the disfunctional patterns
of behaviour and their reasons were analysed. The patient received emotional support of
the group, she worked through a part of her former experiences and succeded in improving her
ego for the strength for coping with the everyday dutys and relations. The changed relationship
for herself and the surrounding enabled her to find thankfulness in her milieu and the relationship
with close people from her surroundings. Conclusion: Thus, only a combined and individually
adjusted therapy, together with a psychoterapic approach can lead to a long lasting success in
treating this deseases.
Keywords
life experience; psoriasis; psychological trauma; psycho-physiologic disorders
Hrčak ID:
59259
URI
Publication date:
13.9.2010.
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