Rosacea: An Introduction

Psychological and Emotional Aspects of Rosacea

Clinical experience has demonstrated that a not inconsiderable proportion of rosacea patients present with significant psycho-social issues. These issues often bare some relation to their chief aesthetic complaints.

Emotional issues can give rise to or support rosacea patient's concrete symptoms, and subjectively, their own perception of their skin's deterioration.

Frequently observed in rosacea cases:

  • depression;
  • social phobia;
  • persecution anxiety;
  • a muted rage.

There are two alternatives for rosacea treatment in such cases:

  • dermatologic treatment only, in which case if the rosacea does improve, the rosacea patient's psychological state may also improve in turn;
  • along with dermatologic treatment, referral to a psychiatrist or alternatively provision of some form of psychological support provided by the (skin-treating) clinician.

In some cases, rosacea patients are so psychologically disturbed that that they may be unable to form a therapeutic alliance with their dermatologist or other skin specialist. In such cases, psycho-tropic medication and/or psychological therapy are essential.

The ability to recognize basic psychiatric problems, at least superficially, will enhance a specialist's ability to more perfectly customize their patient or client's care, leading to more durable and satisfying results.

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