Liaison Clinic

Clinic Overview

The Liaison Clinic is a consultation service for psychocutaneous disorders, operated jointly by dermatologist, Dr Josie Yeatman, and psychiatrist, Dr Melissa Thomas.

Psychocutaneous conditions are characterised by those disorders where stress is the key element in exacerbating skin conditions or flare ups of dermatoses like psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. There is a direct relationship of stress with the course, and prognosis of the skin disease.

Referrals are welcomed for assessment of patients with a wide variety of psychodermatologic problems. 

These include:
  • Psychophysiologic disorders where psychological symptoms are instrumental in precipitating and exacerbating the disorder, including psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and acne excoriate. Addressing anxiety symptoms with stress-management and relaxation techniques may be of significant benefit in this group, as well as consideration of anxiolytic and antidepressant medication.
  • Dermatological disorders with psychiatric symptoms: severe skin diseases may be painful, disfiguring, and cause significant interference with daily living and social interaction. Patients suffering from these disorders commonly experience symptoms of depression, anxiety and social phobia, problems that themselves warrant assessment and intervention in their own right.
  • Psychiatric disorders with dermatological symptoms: delusional parasitosis, trichotillomania, dysmorphophobia, obsessive compulsive disorder and neurotic excoriations.

Clinic Schedule

The clinic operates monthly and offers combined psychiatric and dermatological assessment in a non-threatening setting. Initial consultations are conducted in sessions of up to 50 minutes and ongoing treatment is available where indicated.

Additional resources

Consultants

CLINICS AND SPECIALIST SERVICES

THERAPIES OFFERED AT SHI

ADDITIONAL SERVICES

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