Psychocutaneous Medicine Group Invites Members

About 60 percent of dermatology patients have comorbid depression, anxiety, other psychiatric disorders, or psychosocial problems, said Karen Mallin, Psy.D., vice president of the Association for Psychocutaneous Medicine of North America (APMNA).

“Patients often maintain that getting rid of their skin condition would improve their quality of life and resolve their emotional distress,” Mallin said. “Many do not recognize that their emotional difficulties may exacerbate their skin disorder.”

A clinical psychologist in private practice in Miami, Mallin is a voluntary assistant clinical professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Miami School of Medicine.

“We try to help patients better understand connections between mind and skin, and focus on the biopsychosocial approach to recovery,” she said. “If their disease is not curable, we teach them better coping skills.”

APMNA members include psychiatrists, psychologists, dermatologists, and other health care professionals. The group holds its annual meeting in conjunction with the winter meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology. It next meets January 31, 2008, in San Antonio, Texas. The group also maintains an e-mail discussion list. Psychiatrists interested in joining can e-mail Mallin at [email protected].