psychological profile of patients manifesting warts: an Egyptian study

ABSTRACT

A total number of 130 patients, sixty males and seventy females suffering from warts were selected from the out-patient clinic of the dermatology department within the age range 15-40 years. Psychiatric and psychometric assessment were done to the whole sample and the findings compared with those of a group of 70 controls. Psychological sequelae of warts were found to depend on the patient's personality, the basic type of the skin, predisposing circumstances and the characteristics of emotional reactions. A neurotic personality was found to be more prone to warts. Psychotherapy was of great help for recurrent cases where the warts reappeared in different areas despite proper management. Thus we conclude that continuous cooperation between the dermatologist and the psychiatrist is of great importance and in fact a necessity for the amelioration of the condition