The Role of Psychological Stress in Psoriasis: A Narrative Literature Review

Winda Wijayanti (Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sebelas Maret/Dr. Moewardi General Hospital, Surakarta, Indonesia)
Annisa Fildza Hashfi (Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sebelas Maret/Dr. Moewardi General Hospital, Surakarta, Indonesia)
Irene Ardiani Pramudya Wardhani (Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sebelas Maret/Dr. Moewardi General Hospital, Surakarta, Indonesia)
Muhammad Eko Irawanto (Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sebelas Maret/Dr. Moewardi General Hospital, Surakarta, Indonesia)

Bioscientia Medicina : Journal of Biomedicine and Translational Research
Vol. 6 No. 13 (2022): Bioscientia Medicina: Journal of Biomedicine & Translational Research

Psoriasis is a chronic, persistent skin disease characterized by characteristic lesions in the form of well-defined erythematous patches covered by thick white, shiny scales resembling wax droplets. Psoriasis has a psychological, social, and emotional impact. Psychological stress has also been shown to influence the disease and course of psoriasis. Therapy in psoriasis patients with psychological stress can be given pharmacologically and psychologically. Patients with moderate to severe psoriasis using the Goeckerman regimen for psoriasis showed significant improvements in anxiety and depression scores. Psychological therapies such as relaxation therapy and meditation are able to control the emotions that trigger stress and reduce the appearance and severity of psoriasis. This literature review aims to describe the impact of psychological stress on psoriasis patients so as to increase awareness to detect psychological stress and provide appropriate treatment.