Resumen

CORREIA, Karyne Mariano Lira  y  BORLOTI, Elizeu. Living with vitiligo: a descriptive analysis of the reality experienced by patients. Acta comport. [online]. 2013, vol.21, n.2, pp. 227-240. ISSN 0188-8145.

The skin has biological and social functions and, when affected by pathological changes, can also produce biological and social effects in life of those who have the disease. Vitiligo is a skin condition characterized by depigmentation of the skin. It affects 0.5% to 4% of the population in many countries worldwide and does not depend on sex or age to develop. Considered by many as only an esthetic issue, vitiligo produces diverse psychosocial consequences of its own, changing the life context of those affected. Psychological factors, such as self-perception and coping strategies, are fundamental for assessment and prognosis. The present study is exploratory in nature and seeks to identify and classify some of the psychosocial and clinical variables which affect patients and to a describe patients´ experiences, from the first discovery of first symptoms until treatment, Participants were 63 patients, aged 20 to 60, who answered an online questionnaire. Data were analyzed based on the assumptions of cognitive-behavioral approach. The context of those affected with the disease (the discovery, treatment and living with the disease) is characterized by a high frequency of aversive situations and a relatively low frequency of reinforcers. Nevertheless, some patients find ways to minimize adverse effects of the disease, thus promoting conditions for a good quality of life

Palabras clave : psychodermatology; behavioral medicine; cognitive-behavioral approach; vitiligo; coping.

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