Symptoms

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Symptoms: Friends of the Fear

Every case of olfactory fear is a little different.

Why? Because the core of the problem – the patterns of thinking, the images, movies, sounds and dialog that are internally associated with smells – are different in each person.

(Note that most cures offered for olfactory fear – expecially using drugs and medications – will tackle only the symptoms, not the thinking that is the actual core of the problem).

But while the 'internal representations' as they are called are different from person to person there are a number of symptoms which are common to many olfactophobes:

  • A feeling of uncontrollable anxiety when you think about or are exposed to smells
  • The feeling that you must do everything possible to avoid smells
  • The inability to function normally because of your anxiety
  • Often, the knowledge that your fears are unreasonable or exaggerated but feeling powerless to control them

Olfactophobic symptoms can be mental, emotional and physical. The anxiety and fear can go from mild feelings of apprehension to a full-blown panic attack.

Typically, the closer you are to what you’re afraid of, the greater your fear will be. You can test the severity of your problem with this 2-minute online olfactory fear test.

But because the fear is a physical response to patterns of thinking about smells and not the actual smells almost all people with olfactory fear can create a very strong reaction just by using their mind.

> For help chaging these patterns of thinking, read this article How to Overcome Olfactory Fear.

Mental Symptoms

  • Obsessive Thoughts
  • Difficulty thinking about anything other than the fear
  • Really bad images and/or movies of smells
  • Feelings of unreality or of being detached from yourself
  • Fear of losing control or going crazy
  • Fear of fainting

Emotional Symptoms:

  • Anticipatory Anxiety: Persistent worrying about upcoming events that involve smells
  • Terror: A persistent and overwhelming fear of the same
  • Desire to Flee: An intense instinct to leave the situation (which is tough when its purely in the mind)

While not generally experienced at the same time as olfactory fear episode, we find that overall when they think about their past, most clients have elevated levels of one or more of:

  • Anger, Sadness, Fear, Hurt & Guilt

Physical Symptoms:

  • Dizziness, shaking, palpitations.
  • Shortness of breath or smothering sensation
  • Palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate
  • Chest pain or discomfort
  • Trembling or shaking
  • Feeling of choking
  • Sweating
  • Nausea or stomach distress
  • Feeling unsteady, dizzy, lightheaded, or faint
  • Numbness or tingling sensations
  • Hot or cold flashes

Next Action

Or learn more about Olfactory Fear:

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