Gardner Diamond Syndrome and Antidepressants

A case study done by Neena Sanjiv Sawant and Deepika Abhainath Singh makes a connection between antidepressants and the remission of Gardner Diamond Syndrome.  Gardner Diamond Syndrome is a disease characterized by painful bruising, usually on the extremities and face, induced psychologically.  It was originally discovered by Frank Gardner and Louis Diamond, and was thought to be caused by hypersensitivity to one’s own red blood cells, but that theory has not been proven.  The psychological factors involved in the diseased were recognized by Agle and Ratnoff though the mechanism of the disease is still unknown.  Gardner Diamond Syndrome is most often seen in women though cases have been documented in men and children as well.  The bruised area is often warm and painful and appearance of the bruise can be accompanied by headaches, nausea, and vomiting.  The bruises can appear randomly and can remain for an indefinite amount of time. 

            The woman involved in the case study had been suffering from depressive symptoms for a year and was diagnosed with mild depressive disorder.  She was dealing with multiple stressors including problems at work, marital problems, and problems with her in-laws.  She was being treated by a dermatologist for a fall when she was diagnosed with Gardner Diamond Syndrome and was referred to a psychiatrist for her depressive symptoms.  She was originally treated with analgesics to relieve the pain of the lesions since no treatment for the syndrome was known.  The woman was then treated with Tab. escitalopram for her depression.  It was observed that the bruising and pain were subsiding as her depressive symptoms were also subsiding, and she was symptom free after two months on the antidepressant. Gardner Diamond Syndrome often occurs in people with psychiatric disorders, showing the relation between stress and the disorder, though the pathway is not understood.  This case study links antidepressants to improvement and possible treatment of Gardner Diamond Syndrome. 

Sawant, Neena, and Deepika Singh. "Antidepressant-induced Remission of Gardner Diamond Syndrome." Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine 34 (2012): n. pag. NCBI. Web. 23 June 2013.