Vitiligo is one target of bullying that has sadly led some young people to commit suicide. Detecting this kind of psychological disorder associated to the illness is vital, as well as a multidisciplinary focus of treating vitiligo.
It is estimated that between 30 and 40% of the people that suffer from this skin disease have psychological or psychiatric type problems, affecting the quality of life of these patients.
For years, the close link between skin illnesses and the mind has been researched, concluding that the skin is a determining factor in the mind-body relationship.
Vitiligo treatment requires a multidisciplinary focus that addresses, among other issues, the psychiatric treatment and follow-up of those affected, especially if they are adolescents.
In the case of vitiligo, it is associated with psychosomatic disorders, which are caused by skin illnesses activated by different emotional states such as stress, but are not directly related to mental disorders (“Primary psychiatric disorders in dermatology”, article published in the Review of the Colombian Dermatology Association Vol.24). Likewise, it is considered that vitiligo can lead to secondary-type disorders, which can lead to states of anxiety, depression or suicidal ideation.