Psychological patterns for stress release in dermatological patients with chronic itch syndrome

Abstract

The success of adaptation to a disease is determined by a number of psychological patterns, which include psychological defense mechanisms and coping strategies. Materials and methods. At medical center “Asklepius”during 2016-2018 years, 134 patients with dermatological disorders and chronic itching weree xamined. In research we used “Electronic calculator of chronic itching”, WCQ and LSI. Results. Patients with skin pathology and chronic itching experienced an increasing in level of coping and defense psychological mechanisms related to somatic distress. Not only quantitative but also qualitative changes in the structure of coping and defense psychological mechanisms in persons with intense itching were observed. This is characterized by the use of inefficient coping strategies and forms of psychological tension transformation. Conclusions. The maladaptive coping profile and low adaptive psychological defense mechanisms are important targets for psychological help to dermatological patients with chronic itching.

Keywords

• coping
• psychological defense mechanisms
• dermatology
• psychodermatology
• chronic itching
• psychological help