An estimate 30-60% of people who seek a doctor's help with a skin issue have underlying psychological concerns. These concerns can keep the best medical treatment from working. The site not only includes resources on the emotional impact of various diseases, but discusses psychological techniques that can reduce symptoms. Relaxation, imaging, hypnosis and self-hypnosis, and focused psychotherapy can all be useful tools. (The information is not specific to kp but I have found that it does apply.)

Just a balance to this post. At 14 my KPRF and KPAF symptoms began to develop. At 15 I went to see my first ever dermatologist who advised me (like the above post) that it was believed a high percent of skin conditions were emotionally caused.

As he didn't know what was wrong with me he believed that my symptoms were emotionally caused and at 15 I was put on valium. As a 15 year old I took his diagnosis on board and believed I must be causing my cheeks to be red and inflamed and my eyebrows to fall out.

These thoughts and the worsening of my symptoms were not a good combination as I turned the blame for what was happening upon myself.

I know know that my condition is genetically based and for some reason it often appears in puberty. Sure emotions such as anxiety can make you flush more etc but it certainly does not cause the condition.

I therefore caution people do not take on yourself the guilt of believing you are 'causing' your KP, KPRF or KPAF

Sure work at learning relaxation tecniques and work at eating well and looking after yourself but realise it is genetic. Other skin conditions may be emotionally related but I have read nothing to support that KP is caused by emotions. Everything written points to it being genetic (chromosome 18 to be exact)

It is very important to understand the distinction between cause and triggering. It sounds like Anne's dermatologist was either fuzzy on the difference or did not make it clear to her. No skin disease is caused by emotions on their own. There is always a physical mechanism, genetics, bacteria, viruses, etc. That is why I always insist my patients have a complete medical work-up and strongly advise people to try the conventional medical route first, If it is going to work it will typically be quicker and easier than psychodermatology techniques. That said, if you are one of the people whose problems are triggered by emotions, don't blame yourself, but explore and deal with that side of the problem as well. Be aware that underlying emotional turmoil can keep otherwise effective medical treatment from doing its job.