Project team:
Dr Henning Holle, Chloe North, Dr David George, Dr Paul Skarratt (University of Hull)
Prof Shernaz Walton (Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust)
Prof Antoinette IM van Laarhoven (University of Leiden, Netherlands)
Sylvia van Beugen (University of Leiden, Netherlands)
Visible skin diseases like eczema or psoriasis affect up to 20% of the population and are associated with significant psychological distress including increased rates of anxiety and depression. Although there have been repeated calls in the UK parliament for improved psychosocial support, patients rate the current NHS mental health provision for skin as poor.
Led by Dr Henning Holle, the interdisciplinary team of psychologists and dermatologists seeks to understand the psychological mechanisms around psychological distress, stigma and anxiety in patients with eczema and psoriasis. Funded by various skin health charities, including the British Skin Foundation, the Psoriasis Association and most recently the National Eczema Association, the team aims to understand factors of resilience and vulnerability in patients with visible skin diseases.
Our aim is to address the currently unmet need for psychosocial support and increase stress resilience of those affected by visible skin diseases. This involves creating and offering internet-based behavioural training, raising the fascinating possibility of being able to provide interventions for large groups of patients via the internet in a convenient, accessible way at minimal cost.