INTRODUCTION: Painful bruising syndrome was described by Gardner and Diamond in 
1955. It is marked by spontaneous bruising, without any biological abnormality, 
affecting young women with pathological mental context.
EXEGESIS: We report three observations with painful bruising syndrome. In a 
patient, psychotherapy induced improvement in dermatological and articular 
manifestations. In other case, placebotherapy made clinical symptoms go away for 
a prolonged period.
CONCLUSION: Some etiological hypotheses have been postulated for Gardner and 
Diamond syndrome. However, published cases speak in favour of psychogenic 
hypothesis. Somatic and psychological approach must be offered to these 
patients.