role of psychiatric disorders in patients with alopecia areata

ABSTRACT

A structured psychiatric interview was administered to sixty patients with alopecia areata, [the Diagnostic Interview Schedule; DIS]. Overall 88% had one or more lifetime psychiatric diagnosis with high prevalence rates of major depression [38%], and generalized anxiety disorders [50%]. In addition, patients reports of stressful life events correlated with the onset of illness in 58%. Possible inter-relationships between psychiatric disorders and alopecia areata are discussed. Our study confirms previous reports from other centers, which have suggested that patients with alopecia areata are at an increased risk for psychiatric disorders and calls for attention to psychiatric assessment in this population