People with the skin condition psoriasis are more likely to be depressed, anxious and thinking about suicide, than those without the problem.
People with the skin condition psoriasis are more likely to be depressed, anxious and thinking about suicide, than those without the problem.
Psoriasis results from overactive immune cells, which attack healthy skin and cause red, itchy patches and rapid build-up of scales. To determine the incidence of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts in patients with psoriasis compared with the general population, researchers analysed 1,46,042 Britons with mild psoriasis, 3,956 with severe psoriasis, and 766,950 psoriasis-free individuals.
It was found that compared to people without the condition, those with psoriasis were at a higher risk of developing psychological problems, especially at younger ages. About 26 per 1,000 afflicted individuals per year were diagnosed with depression, 21 with anxiety and one with suicidal thoughts and actions. This translates into roughly 10,400 diagnoses of depression due to psoriasis each year in the UK. For anxiety and suicidal thoughts associated with psoriasis, the annual number of cases would be 7,100 and 340, respectively.
Patients with psoriasis have a higher risk of depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts. Though the exact cause is unclear, social embarrassment could be responsible for the higher risk of mental problems among those suffering from psoriasis.
Psoriasis results from overactive immune cells, which attack healthy skin and cause red, itchy patches and rapid build-up of scales. To determine the incidence of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts in patients with psoriasis compared with the general population, researchers analysed 1,46,042 Britons with mild psoriasis, 3,956 with severe psoriasis, and 766,950 psoriasis-free individuals.
It was found that compared to people without the condition, those with psoriasis were at a higher risk of developing psychological problems, especially at younger ages. About 26 per 1,000 afflicted individuals per year were diagnosed with depression, 21 with anxiety and one with suicidal thoughts and actions. This translates into roughly 10,400 diagnoses of depression due to psoriasis each year in the UK. For anxiety and suicidal thoughts associated with psoriasis, the annual number of cases would be 7,100 and 340, respectively.
Patients with psoriasis have a higher risk of depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts. Though the exact cause is unclear, social embarrassment could be responsible for the higher risk of mental problems among those suffering from psoriasis.
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