It is estimated that around 7.5 million people in the US havepsoriasis. While it can occur in people of all ages, it most commonly develops between the ages of 15 and 25.
The exact cause of psoriasis is unclear, but researchers believe it may be triggered by the immune system attacking healthy cells - particularly skin cells, causing what is known as plaque psoriasis.
Symptoms of plaque psoriasis include itchy, sore and flakey skin, which most commonly occurs on the elbows, knees, scalp, back, face, palms and feet.
Dr. Roger S. Ho, assistant professor of dermatology at the NYU School of Medicine at the NYU Langone Medical Center in New York, NY, says he has seen first-hand how patients with psoriasis can become depressed. As such, he and his colleagues decided to investigate the association further.
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