It is in the domain of cultural studies to critique icons that delineate models of behavior and beliefs represented in films, movies, music, print and television. The media “provides modern morality tales that demonstrate right and wrong behavior, that show what to do and what not to do, that indicate what is or is not the ‘right thing’.” (Kellner, l995, p. 162) The TV Jewish Mother is a media archetype whose depictions represent the ambiguity that 21st Century American culture promulgates about the role of mothering. By doing a diagnostic critique of the Jewish Mother, so often stereotypically characterized on TV, one discovers that, for the most part, she is a devouringly negative, albeit loving presence in her child’s life...

When patients with psychodermatologic disorders present in clinic, the dermatologist can refer them to psychiatrists or other mental health care professionals. However, it is often the case that these patients will refuse a psychiatric referral because they either do not believe they have a disorder of psychiatric nature or they feel there is societal stigma associated with psychiatric illness. Therefore, it is essential for dermatologists to understand the common classifications for psychodermatological cases and to know how to optimally treat these patients with pharmacotherapy. The intent of this article is to help guide physicians in understanding the classifications of psychodermatological cases and in managing these conditions with pharmacotherapies. In this article, two classifications for psychodermatological cases are presented, followed by a discussion of medical therapies used to treat the main categories of psychopathologies that are more frequently encountered in dermatology. These include depression, anxiety, delusions, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.