Recently we have increasingly many cases of those who complain of an offensive odor emitted from one's own body. This condition is especially frequent in the adolescent of Japanese people.
The patients believe that the odor is emitted from their anus, armpits, mouth or external genitals. According to their statement, their belief is derived from their surroundings' disgusting attitude to " their odor " and occasionally they can smell their own odor.
Because of this complaint, the patients visit physicians, surgeons, otorrhinolaryngologists, dermatologists, urologists, gynecologists and dentists. They request doctors to clear away the odor. The odor tortures the patients severely, so some of them may even attempt suicide.
Except for "the odor" these patients are reasonable and not likely to be schizophrenics. They are rather considered to be in the neurotic group, therefore it is advisable to treat them with psychotherapy and minor tranquilizer, but the treatment requires a considerably long time.
