Quality of life

Abstract

Core Messages: Vitiligo can induce considerable psychosocial stress and psychiatric comorbidity. Therefore, it is important to recognize and manage the psychological component not only to improve coping but also to obtain a better treatment response. The training in assertiveness and relaxation skills and helping in building self-confidence would have substantial effects on the quality of life as well as treatment outcomes. Social and psychological well-being increase when patients with facial disfigurement are helped to develop social skills and to confront their difficulties. There is a need for a standardized quality of life evaluation tool, which can quantify the psychosocial stress of the vitiligo subject and could be used for treatment evaluation. © 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.