Insights on Olfactory Reference Syndrome

Olfactory reference syndrome (ORS) may be more common than generally recognized, according to Dr Katharine Phillips-a leading expert on this disorder. Those with ORS believe they emit an offensive body odor that is not perceived by others-and they spend many hours a day preoccupied with negative thoughts about their perceived odor. They are at are at high risk for social isolation suicide.

Here, Dr Phillips briefly discusses this intriguing disorder.

Dr Phillips is Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. She is also Director of Research for Adult Psychiatry and the Director of the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Program at Rhode Island Hospital. Dr Phillips is an internationally recognized researcher and expert on body dysmorphic disorder. She is the author of several books, including "Understanding Body Dysmorphic Disorder: An Essential Guide" and "The Broken Mirror: Understanding and Treating Body Dysmorphic Disorder." She is a distinguished fellow of the AMA and chair of the DSM-5 Work Group on Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum, Posttraumatic, and Dissociative disorders.

Insights on Olfactory Reference Syndrome