The dysmorphic syndrome

A 49-year-old woman complained of pain and distortion of the facial skin of five years' duration. She had notable psychological depression, and the distortion she described was not apparent to others. She had sought relief for many years from many physicians and had tried numerous therapeutic regimens to no avail. After a diagnosis of "dysmorphic syndrome," haloperidol was prescribed at a dosage of 1 mg twice daily. With this regimen, the patient experienced a slow but steady improvement, although her compliance was erratic.

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