Psychic euosmia and obsessive compulsive personality disorder

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Neuroscience
• Psychology

Background:

• Patients with obsessive compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) report mood enhancement from pleasant scents.
• This reaction suggests a potential link between olfactory stimuli and psychological well-being in OCPD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and define the term "psychic euosmia" for an exaggerated psychological response to pleasant odors.
• To explore the potential neurobiological and psychological underpinnings of psychic euosmia in OCPD.

Main Methods:

• Clinical observation and conceptualization of psychic euosmia.
• Hypothesized involvement of the rhinencephalon and limbic system in the olfactory-mood connection.
• Consideration of evolutionary and personality disorder perspectives.

Main Results:

• Psychic euosmia is proposed as an overstated predisposition to pleasant smells, inducing pleasure, order, and calm.
• The reaction may involve olfactory-limbic pathways bypassing cognitive awareness.
• Psychic euosmia appears over-represented in OCPD subjects with traits of orderliness and disgust.

Conclusions:

• Psychic euosmia might be a normal reaction but is notably present in OCPD.
• Detecting psychic euosmia could support the role of disgust as a cognitive driver in OCPD.
• Further research is recommended to characterize psychic euosmia as a feature of OCPD related to orderliness and cleanliness.