ODOR AVERSION OR MULTIPLE CHEMICAL SENSITIVITIES - RECOMMENDATION FORA NAME CHANGE AND DESCRIPTION OF SUCCESSFUL BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE TREATMENT

Patients with odor-triggered symptoms, meeting the case definition of multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS), continue to be seen in our inst itution and other health science centers [Amundsen, Mayo Clinic Dept. Intern. Med. Newslett. 9(1) (1986)]. The term MCS, unfortunately feeds the thesis that symptoms are allergic-immune system in origin, a theo ry that has not withstood scientific scrutiny [American College of Phy sicians, Ann. Intern. Med. 111, 168-178 (1989); Terr, Ann. Intern. Med . 119, 163-164 (1993)], It has been proposed that some of these cases may be examples of classical (Pavlovian) conditioning: many MCS patien ts meet diagnostic criteria for psychiatric illnesses, especially mood , anxiety, and somatoform disorders. Attention is turning to the compl ex relationship between olfactory stimulation, memory, and mood (psych e) in an attempt to understand why some individuals develop odor avers ion symptoms and how to best manage these, frequently, severely disabl ed patients, Two subjects with typical odor-triggered symptoms have be en treated, using behavioral medicine techniques, with marked improvem ent in both eases. The term ''odor aversion'' is proposed rather than MCS to describe patients with these symptoms. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.