By definition, dermatological pathologies have an effect on one's self-image, and this may lead to severe psychological troubles. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate depressive symptomatology -DS- in patients suffering from chronic dermatosis. To evaluate the effect of chronic dermatosis on depressive symptomatology in France for patients going to a medical consultation at Saint Louis Hospital (Paris - France). METHODS: The CES-D was remitted to every patients entering any dermatological consulting room at Saint Louis Hospital. Two groups were identified: population coming to a specific and thematic doctor's visit (psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, ...) - usual visits or patients coming to the "consultation porte" (doctor visits without any appointment and taking care of more distressed dermatological diseases). RESULTS: The "consultation porte" represents around 22% of the doctor's visits versus 78% for the usual visits visits. In the studied population (n = 774), 23.6% of the patients reported depressive symptomatology (CES-D+) whereas 76.4% did not (CES-D-). For patients coming to the "consultation porte" CES-D+ population represents 31.4% (n = 172) vs 21.4% in the patients having usual visit (n = 602). As shown, depressive symptomatology is more often reported for patient coming to the "consultation porte" compared to patients coming to the usual visits. This difference is statistically significant (test Chi 2 p <0.01). If we compare the depressive symptomatology incidence according to dermatological disease, the results are the following: psoriasis 19%, atopic Dermatitis 28%, acne 32, and nævi 13%. CONCLUSION: These results thus give us an idea of both the extent and the importance of the psychological impact that dermatological diseases usually generate. Global disease management together with psychological support therefore seems essential for patients suffering from chronic dermatosis.