Croatian Congress of Psychoderma- Tology with International Participation Was Held in Croatian Psychodermatology on International Erudition

The 2nd Croatian Congress of Psychodermatology with International Participation was held in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, organized by University Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital, under the auspices of the Croatian Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Croatian Dermatovenereological Society of the Croatian Medical Association and European Society of Dermatology and Psychiatry. The Congress was dedicated to and promoted the interdisciplinary approach in psychodermatology. Psychodermatology is focused on the boundary between dermatology, psychology and psychiatry. There are three main categories of psychodermatological disorders. Psychophysiological disorders are skin conditions that can be triggered or exacerbated by emotional states such as stress. Primary psychiatric disorders include psychiatric conditions that result in self-induced cutaneous manifestations such as trichotillomania and delusion of parasitosis. Secondary psychological or psychiatric problems are associated with disfiguring skin disorders. Disfigurement results in psychological problems such as decreased self-esteem, depression or social phobia. This Congress emphasized the importance of collaborative team approach of experts in different fields in recognizing and helping patients with skin diseases. The program of the Congress was divided into eight main sessions: Psychodermatology, Psychoneuroimmunology in dermatology, Research in dermatology, Imperative of beauty, Psychotropic drugs and psychotherapy in dermatology, Psychological aspects of dermatological disorders, Psychological aspects of STDs, and Cutaneous associations of psychiatric disorders and self-inflicted dermatoses. The Congress gathered many experts in the field of psychodermatology from Croatia and abroad. We were happy to welcome dermatologists, psychologists, psychiatrists, pediatricians, general practitioners, immunologists and school medicine experts. There were around 150 participants from nine European countries, including many leading scientists in the field. Dennis Linder from Italy, Secretary General of the European Society of DermaCroatian Psychodermatology on International Erudition September 25-28, 2008, Zagreb, Croatia