The occurrence of anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts in patients with psoriasis

Introduction
Psychological factors have a significant impact on the course of psoriasis. Its symptoms and chronic nature contribute to numerous emotional problems.

Objective
To evaluate the differences within the scope of social anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts among healthy people and people diagnosed with psoriasis.

Material and methods
The research involved 120 participants who filled in the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Beck Depression Inventory and the author’s survey on suicidal thoughts.

Results
According to all the three factors, statistically significant differences were found between the individuals with psoriasis and healthy people. Patients with psoriasis were characterized by higher levels of depression, suicidal thoughts, and a higher level of anxiety as a state. The level of anxiety as a trait was found to be insignificant. Another significant factor was gender. Women with psoriasis had higher levels of depression and suicidal thoughts than the healthy women. The level of social anxiety was found to be insignificant. Inverse correlations were demonstrated among the male participants. Men diagnosed with psoriasis had higher levels of social anxiety as a state compared to the control group. The differences between the levels of depression and suicidal thoughts proved to be insignificant.

Conclusions
Psychological counseling should play an important role in management of the long-term consequences of psoriasis. A psychologist’s intervention should include motivating the patient to start treatment, assistance in adaptation to the disease and improving the life quality by effective coping with tension and stress.