Individuals with hyperhidrosis are more likely to be anxious or depressed than their colleagues who don’t sweat excessively, new research suggests.

Specifically, the prevalence of anxiety and depression was 21.3 percent and 27.2 percent in patients with hyperhidrosis, respectively, and 7.5 percent and 9.7 percent in patients without hyperhidrosis, respectively.  Moreover, the prevalence of these conditions increased as hyperhidrosis severity increased, according to the study which was published in the December issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

To arrive at their findings, researchers conducted a survey of 2,017 dermatology patients, 437 of who had hyperhidrosis and 1,580 who did not.  Now the authors are calling for more research to examine the nature of the connection between these conditions, and for clinicians to take steps to address anxiety and depression in hyperhidrosis patients.

“Since the skin is the biggest and most visible organ in the body and the most exposed in terms of appearance, it is not surprising that skin problems go hand in hand with depression and anxiety,"  says Judith Hellman, MD a dermatologist in private practice in New York City and an associate professor in the Department of Dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center. “Thankfully there are good treatment options available and with the resolution of symptoms, there is a noticeable easing of the depression that often accompanies hyperhidrosis,” she says. “In addition, referring patients for psychological consulting is a valuable supportive measure.”