Personal Grooming And Hygiene
- Self-neglect or impaired care are indicative of a depressive disorder, alcohol dependence, substance abuse, or negative symptoms associated with schizophrenia. Impaired self-neglect in someone with dementia may indicate apraxia or loss of decorum, resulting from frontal-temporal dementia. An overly clean appearance (dry, red hands) may indicate repetitive behaviours matching an obsessive-compulsive disorder. Excessive or bizarre clothes/make-up may be indicative of a mania or a schizophrenic disorder, in which the excessiveness has acquired a special symbolic/protective significance for the patient.
Age
- A striking difference between apparent age and chronological age may be indicative of a dementia syndrome, depressive disorder, alcohol dependence, substance abuse, chronic stress/strain or a physical condition. However, people with intellectual disabilities often look younger than their chronological age.
Weight
- If a patient is remarkably underweight, it may be indicative of anorexia nervosa, alcoholism, substance abuse, cancer, hyperthyroidism or diabetes mellitus. Conversely, if a patient is overweight, it may be indicative of poor diet, lack of exercise or a side-effect of medication, including psychotropic drugs.
Skin And Limbs
- Puncture holes for jewellery, tattoos, scars resulting from self-mutilation or amputated limbs are features suggestive of dissociation or self-mutilating behaviour, matching a borderline personality disorder/psychotic disorder.
