ObjectiveStudies have shown that stress can delay the healing of experimental punch biopsy wounds. This study examined the relationship between the healing of natural wounds and anxiety and depression.MethodsFifty-three subjects (31 women and 22 men) were studied. Wound healing was rated using a five-point Likert scale. Anxiety and depression were measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD), a well-validated psychometric questionnaire. Psychological and clinical wound assessments were each conducted with raters and subjects blinded to the results of the other assessment.ResultsDelayed healing was associated with a higher mean HAD score (p= .0348). Higher HAD anxiety and depression scores (indicating “caseness”) were also associated with delayed healing (p= .0476 andp= .0311, respectively). Patients scoring in the top 50% of total HAD scores were four times more likely to have delayed healing than those scoring in the bottom 50% (confidence interval = 1.06–15.08).ConclusionsThe relationship between healing of chronic wounds and anxiety and depression as measured by the HAD was statistically significant. Further research in the form of a longitudinal study and/or an interventional study is proposed.