Could You Suffer from Olfactory Reference Syndrome (ORS)?

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Many people are concerned about their general body hygiene, but becoming overly preoccupied with one’s body odor or hygiene can impact daily functioning and lead to depression, embarrassment, and shame. Take this quiz to help identify if you may suffer from ORS.

SCORING GUIDE: Add up the responses to all 20 questions to earn a total score. The higher your total score, the more likely it is that you may be suffering from ORS.

This quiz is not intended to be a diagnostic tool. If you suspect that you suffer from ORS, please seek an evaluation by a mental health professional trained in the diagnosis of treatment of OCD and related disorders.

Answer the following questions using the grading scale below

Not At All Somewhat Very Much
1 2 3 4 5

Welcome to your Olfactory Reference Syndrome Quiz

1.) I often worry that I have body odor.
2.) I believe that my body odor is noticeable to others.
3.) My preoccupation with body odor interferes with my daily activities, such as work and/or going to school.
4.) I experience anxiety when I have to be in close contact to others (like standing in line, or sitting on a bus or subway, or sitting at a meeting).
5.) I go to great lengths to change the way my body smells.
6.) I frequently change my clothes due to the belief that I do not smell good.
7.) I frequently take more than one shower a day because I believe my body is giving off a bad odor.
8.) I frequently worry that my breath smells.
9.) I have to carry gum, mints, and/or mouthwash because I worry or become anxious if I do not have them with me.
10.) I frequently ask my family or close friends if I smell.
11.) I am very careful about my diet and/or use special supplements to prevent body odor or flatulence.
12.) I avoid engaging in activities that will make me sweat, such as going to the beach, exercising, or being out on a hot day.
13.) I compare the way I smell to how others smell.
14.) I re-apply perfume and/or deodorant more than once a day because I worry about the way I smell.
15.) I frequently feel embarrassed or ashamed at the way my body smells.
16.) I am depressed because of the way my body smells.
17.) I worry that others will reject me for the way my body smells.
18.) I have visited medical professionals (such as a dermatologist, gastroenterologist, dentist, proctologist, gynecologist) because of my perceived body odor.
19.) I frequently check how I smell, by smelling my clothes, shoes, or myself.
20.) I am extra sensitive to certain odors (aside from body odor), such as ammonia, detergents, rotten onions, candle scents, etc.