The Dorian Gray Syndrome: Psychodynamic Need for Hair Growth Restorers and Other Fountains of Youth

The study explored the psychodynamic factors behind the "Dorian Gray Syndrome," a condition characterized by an obsessive preoccupation with physical attractiveness and the use of treatments like finasteride for hair growth in androgenetic alopecia. This syndrome involves a complex interplay of depressive, hypochondriac, and delusionary disorders, with patients often regressing into narcissistic fixations. The authors identified a desire for eternal youth as a central theme and recommended intensive psychotherapy to address the underlying narcissistic conflicts. The study was based on 2 case studies and highlighted the importance of addressing lifestyle medication in treatment.