Citation

Sahi FM, Masood A, Danawar NA, Mekaiel A, Malik BH. Cureus 2020; 12(8): e9708.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, Curēus)

DOI

10.7759/cureus.9708

PMID

32944430 PMCID

Abstract

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin with multiple comorbidities, depression being one of them. Psoriasis affects the personal, social, and sexual lives of the patients resulting in psychological strain.  Psoriasis and depression amplify each other. Supporting evidence has proven multiple common mechanisms between the two diseases: inflammatory overlap, genetic evidence, low vitamin D3, and melatonin levels are common in both psoriasis and depression. Fear of social rejection and self-stigmatization act as a fuel to fire inflaming depression in psoriatic patients. The study explains the link between psoriasis and depression and their effects on quality of life. There is a need to highlight the importance of addressing the psychological effects of psoriasis along with its physical aspects for better treatment outcomes.

Language: en

Keywords

depression; chronic inflammation of skin; low self-esteem; psoriasis pathophysiology; suicidality