Study Can Acne Lead to Depression?

The effects of acne do not just affect the skin

Acne is a widespread skin disease, which is particularly common in adolescents. But even in adulthood, some people still suffer from acne. Physicians have now found that patients with acne have a significantly increased risk of developing severe depression.

The researchers from the University of Calgary in Canada found in their study that acne leads to a significantly higher probability of developing depression. The experts published the results of their study in the English-language journal "British Journal of Dermatology".

Acne not only affects the skin of those affected, it can also affect the psyche and lead to severe depression. (Image: Ocskay Bence / fotolia.com)

What is acne?

Acne often affects teenagers. The skin disease usually lasts only about one to two years and is usually expressed by pimples and blackheads in the face of those affected. However, there is also a so-called clinical acne, which can last for five to twenty years. This form requires treatment by specialists. Mostly acne affects the face, the chest and the neck, because there are many sebaceous glands.

Increased risk of depression in the first years strongest

Physicians have discovered that acne is not just affecting the body due to pustules, pimples and blackheads, the skin disease also affects the human psyche. In analyzing one of the largest databases of electronic health records in the world, the researchers found that patients with acne had a significantly higher risk of developing severe depression. However, this only happened in the first five years after the diagnosis of the skin disease. The evaluated data covered the period from 1986 to 2012 and came from The Health Improvement Network (THIN).

In the first year, the risk is increased by 63 percent

Physicians were able to determine in their analysis that the risk of major depression was highest within a year of the diagnosis of acne. During this period, the risk was increased by 63 percent, compared to people without the skin disease, explain the scientists. After that, the increased risk decreased again.

Keep an eye on the mood of people with acne

The results of the study indicate that physicians should monitor the mood symptoms in patients with acne to initiate immediate treatment for depression if necessary. If necessary, a psychiatrist should be consulted in some cases, the researchers say.

Acne should be taken seriously

"This study highlights an important link between skin diseases and mental illness. Given that the risk of depression in the immediate aftermath of the onset of acne is highest in patients, the impact of our skin on mental health is evident, "said study author Drs. Isabelle Vallerand from the University of Calgary in Canada in a message to "EurekAlert!". For the patients with acne, the skin disease is more than a simple skin damage. The acne can cause significant mental health problems and should therefore be taken very seriously, the researchers urge. (As)