Some mental disorders are well known and therefore less complicated to detect, however, there are other disorders that, because they are not very visible in society, can feel for a long time without the person being able to recognize their symptoms. case, for example, of olfactory reference syndrome, a curious psychological disorder that few people have heard of.
Olfactory reference syndrome is a mental disorder characterized by unfounded belief that it gives off an unpleasant and annoying smell to the people around them, so the person misunderstands the actions of others and looks for signs that others feel really uncomfortable with their smell.
- In extreme cases.
- This syndrome can cause problems such as extreme embarrassment.
- Anxiety and avoidance of social situations.
- The latter symptom can contribute to the development of patterns of social phobia and isolation.
- Especially if the syndrome is not detected early.
- Important to learn to recognize it so that you can treat it properly.
Neurologist Pryse-Phillips first reported this syndrome in 1971, when he described a group of patients who thought they had an unpleasant odor that would be perceived in the same way by those around them, and authors like Bishop and Davidson consider it a delusional olfactory idea, while others classify it as a specific type of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Although there is not yet an official classification of this disorder in the latest edition of DSM (the diagnostic manual most commonly used by psychologists), some psychology associations have already described several of the most common symptoms of this disorder, efforts that have facilitated it. to diagnose olfactory reference syndrome and treat it appropriately.
Some of the most common symptoms are
The main component of olfactory reference syndrome is the unfounded belief that it gives off a particularly unpleasant odor. Each person is obsessed with different origins of this so-called unpleasant smell and may even change their mind over time, but some of the most common are bad. breath, the smell of armpits or feet.
On the other hand, some people are unsure of the source of the unpleasant smell they think they feel, but are still convinced that it exists.
Sometimes the concern stems from the belief that certain types of body secretion have a particularly strong odor, such as sweat, urine, or stool.
In more extreme cases, a person may think it emits an unnatural smell, such as rotten onions, rotten fish, or strong cheeses. In general, these patients are more likely to have comorability with other disorders.
People with olfactory reference syndrome misunderstand the innocent behavior of others and relate them to their alleged unpleasant smell; for example, they believe that the distance a person is with from them, as well as their actions, sneezing, or actions such as opening a door or window, are related to their smell.
Depending on the severity of the disorder, the person affected by olfactory reference syndrome may be affected by many of these beliefs in their daily life and, as a result, the syndrome is often misdiagnosed.
Most people with olfactory reference syndrome exhibit obsessive behavior in relation to personal hygiene, in an attempt to mask the smell they are concerned about, repetitive behaviors that often fuel the development of extreme anxiety and cause problems in their daily lives.
Some of the most typical behaviors of people with this syndrome are: taking an excessive bath, constantly feeling the parts of the body that concern them, brushing their teeth all the time or using perfume and excessive deodorant to avoid odor. These behaviors don’t seem so harmful, but doing them all the time can alter your daily routine.
In the later stages of the disorder, people with olfactory reference syndrome can avoid social situations so as not to disturb those around them and not be ashamed; consequences, in general, may include job loss, divorce, or even the inability to leave the house.
Olfactory reference syndrome can cause all kinds of disorders in the affected person, from personality disorders to substance abuse, it is essential to detect it in time to prevent it from causing a more serious mental illness.