Depression in dermatology: An integrative perspective

An example which confirmes the adequacy of the integrative perspective in medicine is depression in dermatology because of the sufficient number of arguments linking depression and some chronic skin conditions in depth more than simply comorbidity. In recent literature, the authors found, how depression in dermatology occurs significantly more frequently than in the general population. In dermatological patients the prevalence of depression is around 30% which is more in comparison to patients in general practice where prevalence of depression is 22%. The authors found a considerable similarity in the various characteristics between depression and psoriasis, based upon recent research findings in immunity disorder and elevated concentrations of pro inflammatory cytokines as well as acute phase proteins in both disorders, indicating that both disorders can be considered as immunologicaly mediated, inflammatory states with repetitive chronic progress and similar comorbidity. The afore mentioned theoretical settings evoke the integrative aspect and the integrative interdisciplinary approach placing in the center of attention not only the diseased person with his fears, needs, preocupations and expectations during treatment, but the person who is at risk of becoming burdened with these disorders.