Psychodynamic Mechanisms in a Case of Neurodermatitis

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Abstract
Recent dermatologic studies have indicated increasing interest in the causative role played by emotional conflict in the development and exacerbation of pathological skin conditions. After a brief survey of the pertinent literature, the case of a young man with severe neurodermatitis who underwent a psycho-analysis is presented. Throughout the analysis there was pro-gressive improvement of the skin, with certain marked fluctua-tions closely correlated with the psychological material. Although an allergic factor was present, it seemed to change with the emotional state. Situations or dreams in which anger, competitiveness or intense aggression were aroused brought about a flare-up of the dermatitis. A feeling of security-and gratification led to an improvement in the eruption. The epidermal lesions and the associated scratching are viewed as the result of repressed aggression toward father figures and as a substitute method of expressing rage and frustration.

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