Author(s)

Amir Mufaddel^1*, Asim Ahmed Elnour^{2, 3}, Abdelaziz A. Omer⁴, Esam H. Alshora¹

¹Alkharj Psychiatric Hospital, Riyadh, KSA.
²Faculty, Pharmacy Program, Fatima College of Health Sciences, Abu Dhabi/Al Ain, UAE.
³Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
⁴Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan.

Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder which has a high prevalence among adolescents and young adults and can be associated with emotional and psychological burden on patients. This review aimed to explore psychological factors in patients with acne. Several forms of emotional distress and psychological complications can occur with acne. Such complications may be worse than the physical impact of the skin condition. Current literature suggests that skin changes in acne are associated with changed body image, psychological distress, anxiety, social phobia, suicidal ideation and depression. Population-based studies suggest a significant association between acne and mental distress among both male and female adolescents. Presence of psychological distress is related to severity of acne in some studies. However, other case-controlled studies suggest increased risk for psychological problems in patients with acne regardless of its severity. Stress is suspected to have a role in exacerbations of acne, and the quality of life (QoL) is affected particularly in cases with severe facial acne. Acne treatment can be associated with psychiatric side effects. Isotretinoin may be associated with depression and suicide attempts as shown in several studies but with conflicting results. On the other hand, psychotropic medications (such as antidepressants, antipsychotics and mood stabilizers) can also induce acne. The results of this review indicate the importance of vigilant psychiatric assessment for patients with acne, particularly those receiving isotretinoin, is needed for early diagnosis and treatment of the associated psychiatric co-morbidity.

Acne, Anxiety, Depression, Isotretinoin, Psychodermatology, Stress, Suicide

Mufaddel, A. , Elnour, A. , Omer, A. and Alshora, E. (2017) Psychiatric Comorbidity in Patients with Acne. Open Journal of Psychiatry, 7, 176-185. doi: 10.4236/ojpsych.2017.73016.