title: Changes in appearance and schizotypy in normal subjects.
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.
authors.affiliation: 1Psychiatric Hospital Mondriaan, Heerlen.
authors.forename: Joost
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: À Campo
authors.affiliation: 2Forensic Psychiatric Hospital de Kijvelanden, Poortugaal.
authors.forename: Henk
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nijman
authors.affiliation: 3Department of Psychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Harald
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Merckelbach