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Clinical features of olfactory reference syndrome: An internet-based study
Jennifer L Greenberg1, Ashley M Shaw2, Lillian Reuman3
1Massachusetts General Hospital, Simches Research Building, 185 Cambridge Street, Suite 2200, Boston, MA 02114, United States; Harvard Medical School, Simches Research Building, 185 Cambridge Street, Suite 2200, Boston, MA 02114, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Simches Research Building, 185 Cambridge Street, Suite 2200, Boston, MA 02114, United States.
Journal of Psychosomatic Research
|January 2, 2016
Summary
This study reveals olfactory reference syndrome (ORS) significantly impacts individuals, causing distress and social impairment. Most patients experience chronic symptoms starting in early adulthood, often involving specific odors and compulsive behaviors.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Olfactory Reference Syndrome (ORS) is a poorly understood condition characterized by preoccupation with perceived body odor.
- Empirical research on ORS phenomenology remains scarce despite its historical recognition in neuropsychiatric contexts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the phenomenology of ORS in a diverse sample.
- To ascertain the clinical features and psychosocial impact of ORS.
Main Methods:
- An internet-based survey was conducted from January to March 2010.
- 253 subjects completed measures including the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale Modified for ORS (ORS-YBOCS), Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS), and Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS).
Main Results:
- Participants reported moderately severe ORS symptoms with an average age of onset at 21.1 years.
- Common preoccupations included stool, garbage, and ammonia odors, often perceived to emanate from the armpits, feet, and breasts.
- Nearly all participants engaged in rituals to manage perceived odors, with significant associations found between symptom severity, female gender, poorer insight, and psychosocial impairment.
Conclusions:
- This study represents the largest investigation into ORS to date.
- Findings underscore the clinical significance and substantial psychosocial impact of ORS.
- Further research is needed to explore clinical features and develop effective treatments for ORS.
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