A study to find depression in patients attending dermatological OPD in a teaching hospital

INTRODUCTION: The relationship between skin and the brain exists because the brain, as the center of psychological functions, and the skin have the same ectodermal origin and are affected by the same hormones and neurotransmitters. Skin disorder can be a potential source of emotional distress and psychiatric illness leading to impaired psychosocial adjustments. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim and objective of this study was to find psychiatric depression in patients attending dermatology outpatient department (OPD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted in the department of psychiatry. A total of 200 patients of both gender were consecutively taken who referred to psychiatry OPD from skin OPD after meeting inclusion and exclusion criteria. RESULTS: A total of 33.3% patients scored high on GHQ-12 Scale (General Health Questionnaire-12) and also clinically found that they were suffering from depression. CONCLUSION: Co-morbid Depression found in patients suffering from skin disorders. Proper screening and appropriate referral required for better prognosis.