What work up do you pursue for a thorough evaluation in patients that present with a potential diagnosis of dermatitis artefacta?  

I have found dermatologic complaints some of the most challenging in my psychiatric practice. Dermatitis artefacta (DA) occurs when an individual produces self-inflicted skin lesions in order to assume the sick role, making it a type of factious disorder. When evaluating a patient with suspected DA,...

I so appreciate the thoughtful answers here from our Psychiatry colleagues and it is at least some comfort to know these patients are challenging for everyone. I just want to remind everyone that stimulants make this condition so much worse. I would estimate that 70%+ of the patients I see with thi...

Dermatitis Artefacta, (DA), is complex to diagnose and complex to treat. Typically, these patients come to psychiatric attention after a great deal of prior evaluation and failed treatment from other specialties such as dermatology, internal medicine and primary care. A related and perhaps better kn...