Psychodermatology
When Your Skin and Mental Health Are Speaking the Same Language
It’s not just in your head. And it’s not just on your skin.
Stress, anxiety, and depression can show up in unexpected ways, including breakouts, itching, or flare-ups that don’t respond to typical dermatology treatments. That’s where psychodermatology comes in. This specialized approach looks at how your mind and skin interact and treats both together.
Healing the Mind to Heal the Skin
Ever noticed your skin gets worse during stressful times? Or that chronic skin issues make you feel anxious, frustrated, or ashamed? You’re not imagining it. There’s a real, clinical link between psychological stress and dermatological conditions.
Chronic skin problems can affect your mood, confidence, and day-to-day functioning. And sometimes, stress, trauma, or emotional distress may be what’s causing or worsening the condition in the first place. That’s where psychodermatology comes in.
At Kalamazoo TMS & Behavioral Health, our psychodermatology clinic bridges the gap between dermatology and psychiatry. We offer compassionate, evidence-based psychodermatology treatment that addresses both the skin condition and the underlying emotional factors contributing to it.
What We Offer
We assess both mental health symptoms and skin-related concerns to understand the full picture.
We understand that the skin and mind are deeply connected. Whether you’re dealing with chronic itching or visible flare-ups, we provide integrated psychiatric care that goes beneath the surface.
Our approach brings together dermatological insight and mental health expertise to offer lasting relief.
Psychiatric Evaluation
In-depth psychiatric evaluations to understand emotional and behavioral triggers
Specialized Diagnoses
Diagnosis and treatment for disorders like trichotillomania, dermatillomania, and psychogenic pruritus
Stressed Skin Support
Support for conditions worsened by stress such as eczema, acne, and psoriasis
Help for Repetitive Behaviors
Compassionate care for patients struggling with body-focused repetitive behaviors
Holistic Care Planning
Personalized care plans that take both skin and mental health into account
Medication-Skin Guidance
Guidance on psychotropic medications and their dermatological effects
Psychodermatology Conditions We Specialize In
Psychosocial Factors Affecting Primary Skin Disorders
- Eczema / Atopic Dermatitis
- Psoriasis
- Urticaria (hives)
- Acne
- Psychogenic purpura
Primary Psychiatric Disorders That Manifest Through the Skin
- Trichotillomania (hair pulling)
- Dermatillomania (skin picking)
- Body Dysmorphic Disorder
- Dermatitis artefacta
- Psychogenic pruritus (chronic itch with no medical cause)
Secondary Psychiatric Disorders Due to Coping with Skin Disease
- Alopecia Areata / Universalis
- Androgenic alopecia
- Vitiligo
- Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Medical Disorders with Psychiatric & Skin Overlap
- Neurofibromatosis
- Tuberous Sclerosis
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Thyroid disorders
- Adrenal Insufficiency (Addison’s disease)
- Cushing Syndrome
- Homocystinuria
Psychotropic Medications Causing Skin Reactions
- Rashes, dryness, pigmentation changes, or acne triggered by psychiatric medications
Dermatologic Medications Causing Psychiatric Effects
- Anxiety, mood swings, or sleep disturbances related to skin treatments
Care That’s Covered and Accessible
We accept major insurance providers, offer out-of-network support, and provide payment plans for uninsured patients.
Take the First Step Toward Healing Inside and Out
If your skin is hurting and your mental health is too, psychodermatology may be the path forward. You don’t have to live in a cycle of stress, flare-ups and frustration.
Psychodermatology is a type of care that looks at the connection between your skin and your mental health. If stress, anxiety, or trauma is making your skin worse or if skin problems are affecting how you feel emotionally we treat both. It’s not just about a cream or a prescription. It’s about understanding the full picture so you can truly start to heal.
If your skin flares up during stressful times, gets worse when you’re anxious, or hasn’t responded to regular treatments, there might be an emotional piece involved. Some common signs include:
- Itching or burning with no clear cause
- Picking or pulling at your skin or hair
- Breakouts that seem tied to emotions or anxiety
- Feeling embarrassed, anxious, or depressed because of your skin
If any of that sounds familiar, psychodermatology might be the right next step.
We build a care plan just for you. That could include therapy, stress management, medication (if needed), or working alongside your dermatologist. We may also help with sleep, nutrition, and lifestyle habits that affect both your skin and your mood. Everything is designed to treat the cause, not just the surface symptoms.
In some cases, yes. We’ll work with your dermatologist if you already have one. Psychodermatology isn’t meant to replace skin care, but to complete it. When we address both the physical and emotional sides together, people often see better results than with dermatology alone.
You’ll meet with a psychiatric provider who understands both mental health and how it affects your skin. We’ll talk about your skin symptoms, emotional health, stress levels, and what you’ve already tried. There’s no judgment, just a chance to figure out what’s really going on and how we can help you feel better, inside and out.
