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Reshaping the Psyche the Concurrent Improvement in Appearance and Mental State after Rhinoplasty

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

A. A. Robin ,
J. B. Copas ,
A. B. Jack ,
A. C. Kaeser  and
P. J. Thomas
A. A. Robin*
Affiliation:
Runwell and Southend Hospitals and Charing Cross Hospital
J. B. Copas
Affiliation:
University of Birmingham
A. B. Jack
Affiliation:
Runwell and Southend Hospitals
A. C. Kaeser
Affiliation:
Runwell and Basildon Hospitals
*
∗Charing Cross Hospital, Fulham Palace Road, London W6 8RF
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Abstract

Rhinoplasty patients and matched elective-surgery controls completed the Facial Appearance Sorting Test, the General Health Questionnaire, a Repertory Grid and the Masculinity/Femininity Scale. Rhinoplasty applicants perceived appearance similarly to, and downrated their own appearance to the same extent as, controls. Impaired appearance and psychiatric symptoms are integral parts of the ‘rhinoplasty applicant syndrome’, but the degree to which they occur is not positively correlated. Interviews and tests were repeated 6 months after operation, when marked improvement in appearance was reported by the rhinoplasty patients, associated with the reduction of psychiatric-symptom scores. Control subjects showed no change.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 152 , Issue 4 , April 1988 , pp. 539 - 543
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1988 

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