Changes in appearance and schizotypy in normal subjects
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Updated: Mar 24, 2026

Investigating the Effects of Antipsychotics and Schizotypy on the N400 Using Event-Related Potentials and Semantic Categorization
Published on: November 19, 2014
Joost À Campo1, Henk Nijman2, Harald Merckelbach3
11Psychiatric Hospital Mondriaan, Heerlen.
Background:
Anecdotal reports suggest that drastic changes in physical appearance may signal psychotic decompensation in schizophrenic patients.
Objective:
The current study sought to explore the association between changes in appearance and psychotic vulnerability in a more systematic fashion.
Methods:
A sample of undergraduates (n = 171) completed the Changes in Appearance Scale (CAS), which assesses frequency and nature of changes in outlook, along with a Schizotypy Scale (STA), the Maudsley Obsessive Compulsive Inventory (MOCI), the Fear Questionnaire (FQ) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).
Results:
A modest but significant correlation was found between the CAS and STA scores. For the other symptom measures (MOCI, FQ, and BDI), no association with self-reported changes in physical appearance emerged.
Conclusions:
Changes in physical appearance are found to be significantly associated to mild (pre)psychotic symptoms.
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