Could Skin Conditions Be Early Markers of Mental Health Risk? Study Sheds Light - Video

Scientists have found that individuals with mental health conditions who also experience skin disorders may face a higher risk of poor psychiatric outcomes, including depression and suicidal thoughts. The findings, presented at the ECNP meeting in Amsterdam, could help improve early identification of vulnerable patients and allow for more personalized psychiatric care.

The study examined 481 people undergoing their first episode of psychosis — a condition marked by symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and a break from reality.

On testing, 14.5% were found to have dermatological symptoms (24% female, 9.8% male) such as rash, itching, photosensitivity, etc. All patients were given 4 weeks of treatment with an antipsychotic and then checked for a range of mental health parameters.

Lead researcher, Dr Joaquín Galvañ (Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid) said:

“After 4 weeks of follow-up, patients with a first episode of psychosis presenting with skin conditions experienced higher levels of depression and risk of suicide. We found that just 7% of the patients without the initial skin conditions had suicidal thoughts or attempts; in contrast, around 25% of the patients with initial skin conditions had suicidal thoughts or attempts. Initial skin conditions are also linked to greater depression and poorer well-being at follow-up.

This discovery suggests that the presence of skin conditions indicates that these patients are more at risk for worse outcomes than patients who do not have skin conditions after a first episode of psychosis”.

The researchers note that, if confirmed, this finding has the potential to act as an advance marker for mental health risk, similar to the way, a blood test might indicate a greater risk of cancer or heart disease.

The brain and the skin both derive from the same embryonic origin – the ectoderm – prompting the researchers to investigate the relation between the skin and mental health.

Reference: https://www.ecnp.eu/congress2025/