Olfactory Reference Syndrome: When You Think You Smell Bad

Some mental disorders are very well known. Because of this, they are not as difficult to detect. Others, however, are less visible in society. Therefore, you may suffer from a syndrome without being aware of it. This is the case for olfactory reference syndrome, which is a rare psychological syndrome that not very many people have heard of or know about.

Olfactory reference syndrome is a mental disorder characterized by an irrational belief that you smell bad and that your smell also bothers the people around you. Because of this concern, you are misinterpreting the actions of others. You actively look for signs that indicate that other people are bothered by your smell.

In extreme cases, this syndrome can lead to problems such as extreme embarrassment, anxiety and an active avoidance of social situations. In this connection, the latter can contribute to the development of social phobia and isolating behavior. This is especially true when we do not detect the symptoms in time. Therefore, it is important to recognize it so that we can treat it properly.

The most common symptoms of olfactory reference syndrome

The neurologist Pryse-Phillips identified this syndrome in 1971. He used it to describe a group of patients who were convinced that their bodies produced a bad smell and that the people around them also perceived this. On the other hand, writers like Bishop and Davidson consider it a hallucinatory idea. Again, the other classifies it as a specific type of obsessive-compulsive disorder.

There is still no official classification for this disorder. Despite this, certain psychological associations have included descriptions of the most common symptoms of olfactory reference syndrome in the latest edition of the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). Thanks to this effort , it is now easier to diagnose and treat this mental disorder properly.

Some of the most common symptoms of olfactory reference syndrome are:

• Complaints or comments about your own body odor
• Incorrect interpretation of other people’s behavior and behavior
• Repetitive pattern of behavior
• Problems with normal function
• Comorbidity with other disorders

1. Complaints about own body odor

The most important component of olfactory reference syndrome is the irrational belief that you smell very bad. Different people are obsessed with the different places of origin of this bad smell. Some of the most common are the mouth (bad breath), armpits and feet.

On the other hand, there are also people who are not sure where the bad smell they think they perceive comes from. Yet they are completely convinced that it exists. Sometimes the concern comes from the belief that certain types of body secretions smell bad. It could be sweat, urine or feces.

In the most extreme cases, the person may think they have an unnatural odor. For example, they may think they smell like rotten onions, bad fish or a strong-smelling cheese. Usually, these patients have the greatest opportunity to present comorbidity with other disorders.

2. Incorrect interpretation of other people’s behavior

Those who suffer from olfactory reference syndrome misinterpret other people’s innocent behaviors and associate them with their perceived bad smell. For example , they believe that the distance between a person in relation to their own location is related to their body odor. This can also include movements, sneezing or actions such as opening a door or window.

Depending on the severity of the disorder, those suffering from olfactory reference syndrome may experience these intrusive thoughts about their own body odor in their daily lives. Because of this, the symptoms are often misdiagnosed.

3. Repetitive pattern of behavior

Most people with olfactory reference syndrome often exhibit obsessive behaviors related to personal hygiene. With this type of behavior, they try to mask the smell that worries or bothers them. This repetitive behavior tends to cause the development of extreme anxiety and create various problems in their daily lives.

Some of the common behaviors of people with this disorder are to shower several times a day and to constantly smell on their own different body parts. They can brush their teeth after every meal, or use excess amounts of perfume and deodorant to avoid smelling bad. In principle, this does not seem like a very harmful behavior, but repeated often it can affect daily life.

4. Problems with normal function

In the most advanced stages of the disorder, people suffering from olfactory reference syndrome can begin to avoid social situations. They do this to avoid disturbing the people around them and to feel embarrassed. In general, the consequences can include losing your job, divorce or even being locked inside the house all day.

5. Comorbidity with other disorders

Olfactory reference syndrome can end up causing all kinds of disorders that can range from personality disorders to substance abuse. It is important to detect the syndrome in time, to ensure that it does not develop into a more serious mental disorder.