BIOLOGIC BASIS OF PSYCHOSOMATIC DISEASE OF THE SKIN

Abstract

IN RECENT years there has been a good deal of debate as to the importance of psychosomatic relations in cutaneous disease processes. Among the reasons for rejection by many dermatologists of the psychosomatic disease concept has been the fact that explanations of its mechanisms are usually couched in unfamiliar psychiatric terminology, while the possible underlying physiologic backgrounds are given relatively little attention. Possibly, a restatement in biologic terms may contribute to better understanding and wider acceptance of the theory. The objectives of psychosomatic medicine are "to study in their interrelation the psychologic and physiologic aspects of all normal and abnormal 'bodily functions, and thus to integrate somatic therapy and psychotherapy."¹ Certain principles of the cause of disease are implicit in this statement of aims. (1) A person reacts to environmental changes (chemical, physical, bacteriologic or psychologic) as a biologic entity, with concomitant responses in both psychic and somatic spheres.