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Changes in appearance and schizotypy in normal subjects

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 June 2014

Joost à Campo ,
Henk Nijman  and
Harald Merckelbach
Joost à Campo*
Affiliation:
Psychiatric Hospital Mondriaan, Heerlen
Henk Nijman
Affiliation:
Forensic Psychiatric Hospital de Kijvelanden, Poortugaal
Harald Merckelbach
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
*
Joost à Campo, Mondriaan Zorggroep PO Box 4436, 6401 CX, Heerlen, Netherlands. Tel: 31455736135; Fax: 31455741277; E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Background:

Anecdotal reports suggest that drastic changes in physical appearance may signal psychotic decompensation in schizophrenic patients.

Objective:

The current study sought to explore the association between changes in appearance and psychotic vulnerability in a more systematic fashion.

Methods:

A sample of undergraduates (n = 171) completed the Changes in Appearance Scale (CAS), which assesses frequency and nature of changes in outlook, along with a Schizotypy Scale (STA), the Maudsley Obsessive Compulsive Inventory (MOCI), the Fear Questionnaire (FQ) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).

Results:

A modest but significant correlation was found between the CAS and STA scores. For the other symptom measures (MOCI, FQ, and BDI), no association with self-reported changes in physical appearance emerged.

Conclusions:

Changes in physical appearance are found to be significantly associated to mild (pre)psychotic symptoms.

Keywords

physical appearancepsychosisschizophreniaschizotypy
Type
Original Article
Information
Acta Neuropsychiatrica , Volume 16 , Issue 3 , June 2004 , pp. 138 - 141
Copyright
Copyright © 2004 Blackwell Munksgaard

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