Hello, I do and I would say it makes my life extremely difficult. Not only is my sense of smell extremely acute compared to other people, but also I dislike/fear many smells and experience extreme panic and distress or anger and upset, or physical responses when exposed to them. The worst things for me are smoke (bonfires, wood burners, coal fires, cigarette smoke etc), diesel fumes, petrol lawnmowers and strimmers, burnt/browned toast, cooking smells, and strong fragrances especially from some of the modern laundry detergents and fragrance boosters, this comes from passing by people who are wearing these heavily scented clothes, or people running tumbler driers which vent outside, and people hanging clothes outside. I am traumatised on a daily basis by smells that I have no control over and invest a great deal of time, energy and even money into trying to manage and protect myself from smells. It leaves me exhausted and very alone feeling.
Tips to help.
1)For the last several years I have worn a merino wool "buff"/"neck snood" around my neck at all times during the summer, doubled over, and I wear two in the winter (which makes four layers) so I can always pull it (or them) over my nose and mouth quickly when attacked by a sudden smell. This really helps a lot.
2)Another tip is to carry something, like a cotton hankerchief, which has a few drops of a pure essential oil (that smells in a way that you like) on it, which you can use to calm yourself with.
3) I have just bought an air purifier to use in the house, I am not sure how effective it is at removing smells, but it makes me feel like there is something proactive I can do when smoke from our neighbours is getting in our house.
Hello, I do and I would say it makes my life extremely difficult. Not only is my sense of smell extremely acute compared to other people, but also I dislike/fear many smells and experience extreme panic and distress or anger and upset, or physical responses when exposed to them. The worst things for me are smoke (bonfires, wood burners, coal fires, cigarette smoke etc), diesel fumes, petrol lawnmowers and strimmers, burnt/browned toast, cooking smells, and strong fragrances especially from some of the modern laundry detergents and fragrance boosters, this comes from passing by people who are wearing these heavily scented clothes, or people running tumbler driers which vent outside, and people hanging clothes outside. I am traumatised on a daily basis by smells that I have no control over and invest a great deal of time, energy and even money into trying to manage and protect myself from smells. It leaves me exhausted and very alone feeling.
Tips to help.
1)For the last several years I have worn a merino wool "buff"/"neck snood" around my neck at all times during the summer, doubled over, and I wear two in the winter (which makes four layers) so I can always pull it (or them) over my nose and mouth quickly when attacked by a sudden smell. This really helps a lot.
2)Another tip is to carry something, like a cotton hankerchief, which has a few drops of a pure essential oil (that smells in a way that you like) on it, which you can use to calm yourself with.
3) I have just bought an air purifier to use in the house, I am not sure how effective it is at removing smells, but it makes me feel like there is something proactive I can do when smoke from our neighbours is getting in our house.
