43 patients, 38 women & 5 men with selfinflicted skin lesions were studied. 33 were followed up for up to 22 years. In most cases dermatitus artefacta was only 1 incident in a long history of psychogenic illness. Of the 43 patients, 13 (30%), 12 women & 1 man, continued to produce lesions or were disabled with other psychiatric disorders more than 12 years after the onset of symptons. Prognosis was difficult but recovery seemed to occur when the patient’s life circumstances changed.