Disgustandpsychiatric Illness: Anupdate

Research suggesting that disgust has a role in psychiatric illness has emerged (Phillips et al, 1998). Although a well-developed theory of disgust exists in the literature (Rozin & Fallon, 1987), it does not indicate how extreme disgust reactions relate to psychopathology. Briefly, disgust is readily distinguished from other emotions, has robust behavioural correlates such as avoidance and distinct facial expressions, and has specific physical effects such as nausea. Disgust follows a developmental pattern whereby the aforementioned reactions are taught by caregivers, generally as a defence against oral ingestion of items considered contaminated. At its core, disgust means ‘bad taste’. The notion that disgust might have evolved from the food rejection system is evidenced by the gagging reflex that is a characteristic response to offensive foods. This function of disgust is important, as the probability of ingesting offensive or unhealthy foods is often high. Appraisals of non-offensive foods as disgusting may emerge by their association with offensive objects. Consider the commonly held belief, ‘you are what you eat’. This phrase suggests that ingestion of offensive foods may also cause one to become offensive. Specifically, the act of eating offensive foods transfers the offensiveness of the food to the psychological self as well as the physical body. Based on appraisals that disgusting objects are debasing or demeaning, the incorporation of offensive foods may not only cause physical harm, it may also cause psychological harm.