Zeitschrift für klinische und experimentelle Dermatologieforschung
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The Use of Draw-A-Person Test in Psychodermatology: How to Evaluate Children with Skin Conditions who Experience Emotional Difficulties

Charalambos Costeris

Managing the emotional impact of dermatological disorders in children with compulsive skin picking, trichotillomania, dermatitis artefacta, atopic dermatitis and pruritus is a particular challenge for dermatologists. Increased anxiety, low mood, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, as well as negative body image and low self-esteem are some of the difficulties reported in the literature. Their evaluation is usually difficult, especially in children who appear to be more sensitive and who have avoidant behavior. The Draw-A-Person test (D-A-P) seems to be a very helpful tool both in the evaluation of the above mentioned psychological difficulties, and in the identification of non-verbal behaviors that can occur during administration and also in the interpretation of its results. For this reason, it is suggested that the training and use of the test by dermatologists, who appear to be the first who come in contact with this sensitive population, can contribute to a better management of dermatological disorders, as well as to the referral of children to mental health professionals. This will result in a comprehensive interdisciplinary approach, leading to a more holistic clinical evaluation, aimed at improving the child's quality of life.