Delusional smell
The delusional odor is the delusional idea of a bad body odor that is repulsive to other people . Alternative names are bromosis or bromidrosiphobia (from the Latin bromus "stench") for the unfounded fear of smelling bad.
In the literature, aspects of this disorder were originally described under the culture-specific Japanese conspicuousness Taijin Kyōfushō . It was first introduced in English-language publications in 1971 as the Olfactory Reference Syndrome .
The disorder is considered a rare delusional form, investigations have so far mainly been carried out through case collections. The delusional odor was at times described as a separate, monosymptomatic disorder, but today more in connection with mental illnesses such as schizophrenia , obsessive-compulsive disorder or organic brain psychosyndrome , whereby the boundaries of classification are fluid. Correspondingly, there are no separate keys for self-odor delusion in the diagnostic criteria of the ICD-10 and the DSM .
Appearance
Typical elements of the appearance are considered
- Sensation deviating from the perception of the environment, emitting a disgusting and repulsive smell
- Own, abnormal olfactory sensations that occur depending on the environment
- Relationship ideas in which the behavior of others, e.g. B. gestures, facial expressions or behavior is related to oneself and body odor
- Searching for causes in organic diseases that are said to be responsible for body odor
- Excessive use of washes and perfumes to combat odor
- Social anxiety, shame, and withdrawal
treatment
Depending on the diagnosis of the underlying disorder, various therapeutic approaches can be considered. They range from drug treatment with neuroleptics , clomipramine or citalopram to psychotherapy , especially as group therapy , possibly also in combination.
source
- Petra Garlipp, Horst Halthof: Rare delusional disorders. Psychopathology - Diagnostics - Therapy Springer DE , 2010, ISBN 978-3-7985-1877-3 , pp. 29-37
