Psychopharmacologic therapies in dermatology: an update.

Many patients who have skin disorders have associated psychosocial issues. Psychotropic agents with improved side-effect profiles are available to allow physicians who are not psychiatrists to manage patients who have psychiatric conditions with agents that are effective, simple to administer, and generally well tolerated. Dermatologists who wish to help their patients who have psychodermatologic conditions can enhance their armamentarium by becoming familiar with the use of a few selected psychotropic agents. This article reviews the current status and future directions of psychopharmacology for the major types of psychopathologies encountered in dermatology practice.