Rosacea Diagnosis - Psychiatric Differential

• social anxiety
• depression
• body dysmorphic disorder

Because rosacea is a chronic skin disease, many individuals who have it have become withdrawn out of a social phobia related to their appearance.

The essential feature of social phobia is a marked and persistent fear of social or performance situations in which embarrassment may occur.

Exposure to the social or performance situation almost invariably provokes an immediate anxiety response, which may take the form of a panic attack.

Symptoms associated with a panic attack are irritability, restlessness, feeling "on edge", tension, dizziness, agitation, an inability to relax, sweating, palpitations, shortness of breath and/or dry mouth.

Adults with rosacea suffering these symptoms will usually recognize that their fear is excessive or unreasonable but remain unable to control their symptoms.

For this reason, patients with rosacea often avoid social or performance-related issues and events, leading to a significant interference in their daily routine.