The “Dorian Gray Syndrome”: psychodynamic need for hair growth restorers and other “fountains of youth”

The document explored the psychodynamic factors of the "Dorian Gray Syndrome," a disorder characterized by an obsessive preoccupation with physical attractiveness, often leading to the use of treatments like finasteride for hair loss. This syndrome, named after Oscar Wilde's novel, involved a complex interplay of depressive, hypochondriac, and delusionary disorders, as observed in 2 case studies. Patients exhibited a reductionist perspective focused on external appearance, regressing into narcissistic fixation. The recommended treatment was intensive psychotherapy, addressing the underlying narcissistic conflicts and the desire for eternal youth.