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Coping with smells sensory problems

Prof

Hi,

I'm new to the community. I have Autism and struggle with my sensory overloads this is something I've struggled with all my life but it is so bad now and it stops me doing a lot of things. I'm currently studying and educating in pathology and medicine I've read a lot and seen a lot of videos and diagrams of the more intense parts. On Monday my class and I will see the real thing in person and I'm not scared I'm actually super excited to see it in person it's the job I've always dreamt of doing but I am worried about smells. I know there will be a lot of unpleasant smells and I'm already feeling anxious about that. Last thing I want is to embarrass myself in front of the entire class and have a meltdown and overload. This has happened before at my old university and it was so embarrassing I cried after and experienced burnout in the end. I'm coping okay with university it gets a bit much at times but I'm careful not too overdo it and make myself crash and burn. I have understanding lecturers thank god so that's something at least :) 

If anyone here has sensory problems with smells I would love any suggestions you might have on how to cope with them. It's something I've tried in the past but smells still have an awful overwhelming effect on me.

  • Hi, I can vouch for Vicks vapo rub, my father was an undertaker, it was used by them for unpleasant smells.

  • I can second the vapor rub trick (I mean I didn't do dissection or anything like this) but am very sensitive to smells and when visiting my grandparents in care homes ect that was the only way I could get through the smells in those places and hospitals etc (I don't mean to say that care homes or hospitals are dirty or anything like that, but there is sometimes overlapping smells of people and food all mixed together and it is a no for me). I think if Vick's could cover those strong smells hopefully they should be able to help with your course? Will you be expected to wear masks? If not you could always ask to wear one (if this in itself isn't an issue for you) . I hope it goes well Slight smile

  • in reply to Prof

    I worked in research on parasitic diseases at a couple of universities, using molecular and cell biology techniques. Later, I managed scientific services at a research institute. My first degree was in zoology, hence the dissections.

  • in reply to Martin

    That's interesting to know. Are you happy to share what work you went in to. It's fine if not tho :) 

    And thank you for the suggestions. I will pick up some vapour rub and give that a try. But you've given me others to try as well. Thank you. Weirdly when I mouth breathe I still smell at the same time, think I must still be consciously using my nose for some reason. Lol. I might have to try and work on that tho.

  • I did a huge amount of dissection in my degree and worked with blood, various bacteria and other less than pleasant odour-producing things. For afternoon  dissections as an undergrad I would have a pint of beer at lunchtime in the students' union. I later came across a trick, smearing Vick's vapo rub on the top lip, just under the nose. If you do not find the menthol/eucalyptus smell of Vick's unpleasant in itself, it can help. Alternatively, a swimmer's nose clip, or packing the nostrils with cotton wool, not too deeply, would stop any smell getting to your olfactory receptors, but mouth-breathing is the obvious result.