Presents cases of 6 patients (aged 18-53 yrs) from Middle Eastern communities, who had delusional convictions that they were malodorous. Ss were followed up for 6 mo to 4 yrs. Difficulties encountered in clinical settings in differentiating overvalued ideas, delusions, and hallucinations arose from lack of clarity of psychopathological terminology. Schizophrenia and depression were closely related to the delusional syndrome. Combined antidepressant and tranquilizer therapies altered Ss' perceptions of symptoms.