Psychogenic Purpura Successfully Treated with Antidepressant Therapy

Psychogenic purpura (PP) or Gardner-Diamond syndrome is a very rare condition characterized by spontaneous, recurrent, and painful edematous skin lesions progressing to ecchymoses [1]. Bleeding from the nose, gastrointestinal organs, kidneys, and uterus has also been reported [2]. PP is commonly regarded as an autoimmune vasculopathy with sensitization to phosphatidylserine, a component of erythrocyte membranes [3]. Development of the lesions generally follows minor physical trauma and/or emotional distress, and they are often accompanied by certain psychiatric conditions [4]. However, it is still unclear how stress influences the physiological processes and changes the immune reactivity so that organisms react with the formation of erythrocyte autoantibodies [1]. Here we present a case associated with depression and sexual abuse.