Dermatitis Artefacta: A Challenging Case Report

We report a 31-year-old female presented with a history of recurrent skin and oral lesions for 10 years. She brought a histopathology report confirming the diagnosis of pemphigus vulgaris (PV), which was found to be faked with no patient information and lacked letterhead. Skin and oral examination only reveal multiple linear upper lip erosions. We believed the patient had a preliminary diagnosis of PV, and we asked the patient to continue her medications. Based on the conflicting history and occurrence of contradictory issues, a diagnosis of dermatitis artefacta was made. The patient improved after four sessions of dialectical therapy.

Psychocutaneous disease: Pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy

Building a strong therapeutic alliance with the patient is of utmost importance in the management of psychocutaneous disease. Optimal management of psychocutaneous disease includes both pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. This article reviews psychotropic medications currently used for psychocutaneous disease, including antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and anxiolytics, with a discussion of relevant dosing regimens and adverse effects. Pruritus management is addressed. In addition, basic and complex forms of psychotherapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and habit-reversal training, are described.

A role for pharmacotherapy in the treatment of "internet addiction"

The advent of the Internet is among the most significant changes in recent decades and has greatly affected the entire range of human experience. However, it has, in turn, led to the emergence of psychopathological features of addiction linked to its use. Literature on the clinical management of the distress related to Internet use systematically measures up to an evolving nosography, with ambiguous definitions of the phenomenon and a diversity of diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic criteria. To date, case studies on "Internet addiction" treatment are rather limited, and no standard clinical treatment protocols exist. With regard to pharmacological treatment options, empirical or anecdotal assessments are mostly referred to. The aim of this article was to review current literature on Internet addiction treatment and assess the extent to which specific pharmacological interventions alleviate these patients' symptomatic burden, to propose a rationale that may guide the therapeutic approach. To this end, we also explored pharmacological interventions that target patterns of comorbidity and underlying psychopathological dimensions shared with other behavioral or substance addictions.

Volitional disorders: a proposal for DSM-V

In the DSM-IV-TR, specific impulse control disorders not elsewhere classified (ICD) have been designated following four principles: (1) through the addition of an adjective that emphasizes the aberrant character of an otherwise normal behaviour (e.g., pathological gambling); (2) by means of metaphors (such as in intermittent explosive disorder); (3) according to the presumably quintessential nature of their main signs and symptoms, such as impulsive (e.g., impulse control disorders not elsewhere classified), compulsive (e.g., compulsive shopping), or addictive (e.g., internet addiction); or (4) using Greek suffix mania (e.g., kleptomania, pyromania, and trichotillomania). Given this flagrant inconsistency, we argue that time has come to adopt a less arbitrary way of describing these disorders, at least until it becomes clearer whether they are really impulsive, compulsive or addictive or if the preoccupation with this distinction is valid. In keeping with DSM's emphasis on descriptive phenomenology rather than on unsupported theory, a less biased terminology is in order. Therefore, we would like to suggest: (1) the substitution of the term ICD by the more neutral expression 'volitional disorders not elsewhere classified'; (2) the use of the classical Greek suffix mania, already present in some DSM-IV-TR ICDs, as the main naming principle to be adopted in the DSM-V; and (3) the creation of compulsive, impulsive, and mixed subtypes of the 'volitional disorders not elsewhere classified', since they are beginning to be validated by treatment trials.

A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of olanzapine for the treatment of video poker pathological gamblers

Emerging evidence suggests that dopaminergic and serotonergic functioning are altered in pathological gamblers; yet, there are no FDA-approved medications for pathological gambling and there have only been a limited number of clinical trials that have been conducted. Olanzapine was identified as a candidate medication for pathological gamblers because it modifies both dopaminergic and serotonergic function. Moreover, preliminary studies have shown that olanzapine effectively reduces impulsivity in other psychiatric disorders, a pharmacological target of interest for pathological gamblers. In this study, 21 pathological gamblers, whose primary gambling activity was video poker, were enrolled in a seven-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Outcome measures included self-reported urges for gambling, frequency of gambling behavior, and self-reported mood and anxiety levels. The results revealed that all study participants reported reduced levels of gambling urges, gambling behavior, and mood and anxiety symptoms. Olanzapine administration was not associated with an incremental effect versus placebo. While these findings suggest that olanzapine is not an efficacious treatment for video poker pathological gamblers, olanzapine may still be an effective treatment for a specific subset of pathological gamblers, including those with a co-occurring psychiatric disorder.

Psychiatric medications for the treatment of pruritus

OBJECTIVES

To review the use of psychiatric medications in the treatment of pruritus.

METHODS

A literature review was conducted using the key words pruritus, psychiatric, and treatment.

RESULTS

Three categories of pruritus are described: dermatologic, systemic, and psychogenic. Peripheral and central nervous system mechanisms of pruritus are reviewed. Conventional dermatologic treatments for pruritus are contrasted with some of the common psychopharmacologic treatment modalities that include anxiolytic, antidepressant, and antipsychotic agents. A treatment algorithm is offered to help guide the treatment of patients with pruritus.

CONCLUSIONS

Psychiatric medications have been used successfully in the treatment of pruritus that is associated with both psychocutaneous and systemic disorders, which are resistant to conventional treatment.

Factitial dermatoses in children

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Factitial skin diseases are characterized by unusual patterns of skin lesions that do not conform to any known dermatologic condition and that are consciously or subconsciously fabricated by the patient. This review summarizes the current literature regarding the diagnosis and management of factitial dermatoses in children.

RECENT FINDINGS

Neurotic excoriations, acne excoriee and trichotillomania are the most common factitial skin diseases seen in children. Dermatitis artefacta is also seen in children, but is less common. In many cases, the development of factitial skin disease is associated with a comorbid psychiatric condition or identifiable psychosocial stressor. With regard to the management of factitial dermatoses in children, it is of paramount importance for the clinician to establish an appropriate physician-patient-family relationship. Although controlled studies in children are lacking, pharmacologic and/or nonpharmacologic adjunctive therapy can be helpful in the treatment of these difficult conditions.

SUMMARY

The diagnosis and management of factitial skin diseases in children is a challenge. Clinicians caring for children should be able to recognize the common factitial dermatoses that are seen in the pediatric population. The conveyance of support and acceptance by the physician is essential to the treatment process. Both psychotherapy and psychopharmacology can be important adjunctive treatments.

Case study: delicate skin cutting: management beyond the skin and implications of superficial habitual self-mutilation

A 16-year-old girl accompanied by her mother was noted to have several thin, well healed brown lines on the distal third of her left flexural forearm (Figure). She admits to having recently made these marks by skin cutting. She feels depressed and at times feels life "is not worth living." She denies alcohol or substance abuse or true suicidal ideation, plan, or intent. Her mother describes her as previously well adjusted and a good student who has become erratic and moody in the past 6 months, with worsening school performance. Her father had a history of depression and alcoholism and died 3 years ago. She is undergoing psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy with sertraline with good results. She has not cut her skin in 3 months. Her mood and behavior have improved.

The neonate-6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rat: a model for clinical neuroscience and neurobiological principles

In 1973, a technique of administering 6-hydroxydopamine (2,4,5-trihydroxyphenylethylamine) intracisternally to neonate rats was introduced to selectively reduce brain dopamine (neonate-lesioned rat). This neonate treatment proved unique when compared to rats lesioned as adults with 6-hydroxydopamine--prompting the discovery of differing functional characteristics resulting from the age at which brain dopamine is reduced. A realization was that neonate-lesioned rats modeled the loss of central dopamine and the increased susceptibility for self-injury in Lesch-Nyhan disease, which allowed identification of drugs useful in treating self-injury in mentally retarded patients. The neonate-lesioned rat has also been proposed to model the hyperactivity observed in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Because the neonate-lesioned rat exhibits enhanced sensitization to repeated NMDA receptor antagonist administration and has functional changes characteristic of schizophrenia, the neonate lesioning is believed to emulate the hypothesized NMDA hypofunction in this psychiatric disorder. Besides modeling features of neurological and psychiatric disorders, important neurobiological concepts emerged from pharmacological studies in the neonate-lesioned rats. One was the discovery of coupling of D1/D2-dopamine receptor function. Another was the progressive increase in responsiveness to repeated D1-dopamine agonist administration referred to as "priming" of D1-dopamine receptor function. Additionally, a unique profile of signaling protein expression related to neonate reduction of dopamine has been identified. Thus, from modeling characteristics of disease to defining adaptive mechanisms related to neonatal loss of dopamine, the neonate-lesioned rat has had a persisting influence on neuroscience. Despite an extraordinary legacy from studies of the neurobiology of this treatment, a host of unknowns remain that will inspire future investigations.

Psychogenic excoriation. Clinical features, proposed diagnostic criteria, epidemiology and approaches to treatment

Psychogenic excoriation (also called neurotic excoriation, acne excoriée, pathological or compulsive skin picking, and dermatotillomania) is characterised by excessive scratching or picking of normal skin or skin with minor surface irregularities. It is estimated to occur in 2% of dermatology clinic patients and is associated with functional impairment, medical complications (e.g. infection) or substantial distress. Psychogenic excoriation is not yet recognised in the DSM. We propose preliminary operational criteria for its diagnosis that take into account the heterogeneity of behaviour associated with psychogenic excoriation and allow for subtyping along a compulsivity-impulsivity spectrum. Psychiatric comorbidity in patients with psychogenic excoriation, particularly mood and anxiety disorders, is common. Patients with psychogenic excoriation frequently have comorbid disorders in the compulsivity-impulsivity spectrum, including obsessive-compulsive disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, substance use disorders, eating disorders, trichotillomania, kleptomania, compulsive buying, obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, and borderline personality disorder. There are few studies of the pharmacological treatment of patients with psychogenic excoriation. Case studies, open trials and small double-blind studies have demonstrated the efficacy of selective serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) reuptake inhibitors in psychogenic excoriation. Other pharmacological treatments that have been successful in case reports include doxepin, clomipramine, naltrexone, pimozide and olanzapine. There are no controlled trials of behavioural or psychotherapeutic treatment for psychogenic excoriation. Treatments found to be effective in case reports include a behavioural technique called 'habit reversal'; a multicomponent programme consisting of self-monitoring, recording of episodes of scratching, and procedures that produce alternative responses to scratching; and an 'eclectic' psychotherapy programme with insight-oriented and behavioural components.

Establishing Safety with Patients with Dissociative Identity Disorder

The incidence of self-mutilation and suicidality among patients with dissociative disorders is quite high. It is necessary for clinicians working with this population to be adept at dealing with safety problems. This article presents a sequence of basic steps that can be used when helping dissociative patients establish safety, a discussion of the functions of self-destructiveness, and an overview of specific experiences and thinking patterns that contribute to self-destructiveness among dissociative patients.