Received: 17 June 2023 | Revised: 23 July 2023 | Accepted: 2 August 2023 DOI: 10.1002/der2.210 INVITED REVIEW Primary psychiatric disorders Debatri Datta 1 | Anupam Das 2 | Mohammad Jafferany 3 | Bishurul Hafi 4 | Simona Carniciu 5 | Caroline Stamu‐O'Brien 6 1 Olivia Skin and Hair Clinic, Kolkata, West Bengal, India 2 KPC Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, India 3 Central Michigan University College of Medicine, Saginaw, Michigan, USA 4 Revive Skin Clinic, Kerala, India 5 Faculty of Dentistry, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila”, Bucharest, Romania 6 Department of Psychiatry, Aff. NYU Langone Medical Center, Woodhull Medical and Mental Health Center, Brooklyn, New York, USA Correspondence Caroline Stamu‐O'Brien, Department of Psychiatry, Aff. NYU School of Medicine, Integrative Psychiatry of NY, PC, 99 Madison Avenue Ste 531, NY 10016, USA. Email: drobrien@integrativepsychiatry-ny.com Abstract Objective: This article explores disorders of trichotillomania, delusions of parasitosis, dysmorphophobia or body dysmorphic disorder, bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa, obsessive compulsive disorder, dermatitis artefacta, and specific phobia. Method: Research data of case series and observational studies review their clinical manifestation as primary psychiatric disorders as well as treatment modalities in these disorders. Results: We also indicate that these diseases may be harbingers of medical diseases or coexist with various medical conditions. Conclusions: It also emphasizes the importance of a multidisciplinary approach for both proper treatment and outcome. KEYWORDS anorexia, body dysmorphic disorder, bulimia nervosa, delusional parasitosis, dermatitis artefacta, obsessive compulsive disorder, specific phobia, trichotillomania 1 | INTRODUCTION Psychodermatology is a branch lying on the boundaries of psychiatry and dermatology. Around 30%–40% of individuals who seek medical assistance for skin conditions have an inherent psychiatric or psychological issue that contributes to or worsens their skin complaints. The category of psychiatric disorders with dermatological symptoms which are self‐inflicted skin conditions is characterized by trichotillomania, delusions of parasitosis (DP), body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), eating disorders, obsessive‐compulsive disorders (OCDs), dermatitis artefacta, and specific phobia. Several studies have reported on the impact of primary psychiatric disorders on dermatological conditions. The referenced literature in this article is abundant in hallmark symptoms for each disorder, a necessary recognition for both psychiatrists and derma- tologists. While each specialty has limitations in clinical training, it is imperative to identify such limitations and make appropriate referrals for the best patient outcomes. Despite these findings and certain diagnoses overlap as per DSM‐5‐TR classification (Table 1), the underlying pathological mechanisms in these disorders are not fully elucidated. However, it paves the way to further explore current diagnostic controversies in the field related to possible shared biological underpinnings. This article aims to provide an understanding of the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and comorbidities of these disorders in association of the skin. 1.1 | Trichotillomania Trichotillomania is a complex psychiatric disorder that presents a unique challenge in the field of dermatology. Often referred to as a hair‐pulling disorder, trichotillomania is characterized by recurrent and irresistible urges to pull out one's hair, resulting in noticeable hair loss. 1 The impact of this disorder extends beyond the psychological realm, as it directly affects the hair and scalp, necessitating an understanding of its etiology, manifestation, and management within the context of dermatology. Diagnostically, trichotillomania is classified as an obsessive‐ compulsive and related disorder which is characterized by recurrent and irresistible urges to pull out one's hair, resulting in noticeable hair loss. The diagnostic criteria for trichotillomania, as outlined in the Dermatological Reviews. 2023;1–10. wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/der2 © 2023 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. | 1