ABSTRACT
Psychosomatic Aspects of Pruritus 345
II. PRURITUS AS A SOMATOFORM DISORDER
III. LOCALIZED FORMS OF PSYCHOGENIC ITCH
IV. PSYCHOTHERAPY OF PRURITUS
There are a few studies on psychotherapy for treatment of itch and scratching in dermatological patients. Insight-oriented psychotherapy or psychoanalysis is effective in patients with generalized or localized pruritus, or obsessivecompulsive syndromes, if the criteria for these modalities are otherwise met. Younger patients, those for whom the quality of life is significantly impaired, or those who do not respond readily to dermatological treatment should therefore be offered to under go such treatment (13).
