Dr Sandy McBride, a consultant dermatologist at the Royal Free Hospital

Published: 15 November, 2012
by TOM FOOT

RED raw, flaking and scaly skin are visible symptoms of psoriasis – but the condition can also cause deeper, mental scarring.

Dr Sandy McBride, consultant dermatologist at the Royal Free Hospital, went to the House of Commons to talk about its psychological effects.

She told MPs about a campaign organised by the Psoriasis Association and the Mental Health Foundation.

Doctors and nurses are being urged to read up on the condition and to look out for it in surgeries and hospitals.
Dr McBride said:
“Psoriasis can have a major impact on a patient’s mental wellbeing. Around 1.8 million people suffer from the condition in the UK and approximately one third of those experience depression or anxiety.”

She said people could experience “feelings of humiliation and embarrassment” and patients didn’t know who to “turn to for support”.

Dr McBride said: “Patients are often amazed when I tell them that we can help to make them feel better through our integrated psychology and dermatology service.

“Often they have been down a long road before they get to us and they finally feel that somebody understands.”
She added: “GPs, policy makers, commissioners and dermatologists all need to recognise the true-life impact of psoriasis in order that people with psoriasis receive care that addresses all their needs, not just the physical symptoms.”
Dr McBride helped to set up one of the only integrated psychology and dermatology services in the country at the Royal Free in 2006.

It provides support and therapy for patients with a wide range of skin conditions, enabling them to cope with the considerable impact of psoriasis.

It also provides a psychological assessment and treatment and uses a cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) approach, which focuses on developing new coping skills and ways of thinking, to tackle the symptoms.

Dr Alexandra Mizara, who is the clinical lead of the psychodermatology service, added: “A total of 44 per cent of patients who are referred to our service do not need further psychological treatment once they have completed their sessions with me.

“A further 22 per cent of patients manage to reduce use of their psoriasis medication after their psychology sessions.”