What is dysmorphophobia?

In syndromes of dysmorphophobia, patients hold delusional beliefs about the structure or function of their skin. Symptoms range from complaints of excessive facial redness, scarring, or large pores, to olfactory delusions in which patients feel they are passing excessively smelly flatus or emitting body odor that drives people away. Diagnosis and treatment are similar to those for delusions of parasitosis. Prognosis is poor, especially in women with facial symptoms, who tend to be severely depressed and even suicidal. Patients with olfactory delusions can be driven to homicide.