There is a new term,
"psychodermatology" have you heard of it? Probably not. It is the term
used to address the impact of a person's emotional state as it relates
to the skin. It is NOT a psycho dermatologist. Just making sure that
is clear.
The research
indicates that the mind and the skin are connected on many different
levels. Many nerve endings are connected to the skin, which wrap around
the organs, so as emotions are played out neurologically they can be
expressed through skin (acne, rashes, etc.) just as stress can be
expressed through symptoms like anxiety or hypertension. For example,
when a person is tense their cortisol levels will increase which affects
the oil glands which can lead to an imbalance in the skins' pH leading
to blemishes.
Dr. Bruce Katz, MD
has a theory which he calls the "target organ theory." Certain people
have different target organs that channel stress. Some get ulcers,
others migraines, while some people it is the skin that is their target
organ, these people may get rashes or other skin disruptions when
stressed or emotionally strained.
It is believed that
during development in the womb the brain and the skin are derived from
the same cells, so there is a connection. The other immediate
relationship is that when people experience stress in life, quite
frequently, their skin becomes a reflection of that stress.
What to do about skin
disruptions that are related to stress varies depending on the
condition and the cause. If the condition is short lived, such as a
temporary short term job that you dislike there is not much to do
because the flare up is episodic. But if the stressors are more
chronic, such as a difficult marriage or a person is unemployed and
unable to find work the conditions are longer lived and need on going
attention.
Talk to your skin
care specialist. Your visits are confidential. Any and all information
given can help tremendously when deciding which treatment options are
best for you and your situation.Whatever information you can share will
benefit you in the end. Still not sure how I feel about the term
"psychodermatology" still sounds like a crazy doctor to me.
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