Journal article

Publication year: 2016

Journal: Acta Dermato-Venereologica

Volume number: 96

Issue number: 2

ISSN: 0001-5555

eISSN: 1651-2057

Open access status: Gold

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.2340/00015555-2177

Publisher: Medical Journals Sweden

Abstract: 
Patients with chronic itch suffer from higher levels of depression and anxiety than their healthy counterparts. Furthermore, psychological factors, such as stress, are known to aggravate itch. The mere act of thinking about itching can induce the sensation. Interventions like habit reversal training and arousal reduction have been shown to have positive effects on itch relief. Yet, there is still limited data on the psychological management to control the itch scratch cycle and a description of methods suitable to address itch. In this review, we describe different psychological interventions shown to be effective in the treatment of chronic itch. We also provide suggestions based on our experience of suitable interventions for patients with different types of itch.

Harvard Citation style: Schut, C., Mollanazar, N., Kupfer, J., Gieler, U. and Yosipovitch, G. (2016) Psychological Interventions in the Treatment of Chronic Itch, Acta Dermato-Venereologica, 96(2). https://doi.org/10.2340/00015555-2177

APA Citation style: Schut, C., Mollanazar, N., Kupfer, J., Gieler, U., & Yosipovitch, G. (2016). Psychological Interventions in the Treatment of Chronic Itch. Acta Dermato-Venereologica. 96(2). https://doi.org/10.2340/00015555-2177