Olfactory Reference Syndrome with Suicidal Attempt Treated with Pimozide and Fluvoxamine

Abstract

The core symptomatology of the Olfactory Reference Syndrome (ORS) is characterized by a preoccupation with the belief that one emits an offensive odor, albeit not perceived by others. The present case is that of a 75-year-old African American woman, with an unclear past psychiatric history, who was brought into our Emergency Room after a suicide attempt. The patient reported a three-year history of a “rotten” smell from her vagina. She adamantly believes that she smells despite being told otherwise by people. The patient reported a trial of several feminine products to get rid of this smell and multiple visits to specialists but her symptoms persisted. Her symptoms involved a significant depressed mood and deterioration in her social functioning, interpersonal relationships, and self-care. She was constantly in the shower and had stopped leaving her apartment due to worries that people might smell her vagina. The culmination of her distress was the suicidal attempt, for which she was brought to the hospital. She was admitted to the inpatient psychiatric unit and started on Pimozide and Fluvoxamine. The patient made remarkable progress within a few days on admission and in the course of her hospitalization. Follow-up in our outpatient clinic shows that the patient remains completely asymptomatic with significant progress in her social functioning.