Anxiety Disorders

Just in case… It could be an incense oil vaporiser up wind of where you live. The oil carries an ultra-powerful perfume odour that can almost not be detected. So strong it can even appear like sounds to a perfectly normal person, such is the attack on the senses. During exposure regular odours are amplified causing the victim to hold their breath and micro manage the diaphragm until exhausted. A feeling of panic comes from noticing sharp odours with or without knowing about it. The sharp intake of breath moves the stomach juices and creates an adrenaline-like moment, followed by heart racing. It is instead diagnosed as a panic attack. When you are removed from the vapour regular odours seem over blown and disturbing, regular sounds can also seem frightening too. Check for wafting smells around, like drains, cooking, flowers, and fires, they all seem oddly rich and vaporous when this strong incense is around. If so you need to remove yourself from the vapour else you will never recover. Several months or even years may be required away from the incense to recover depending on how serious the situation became. You may also want to contact the council, very likely others nearby will be suffering similar problems. If the incense is 24/7, and depending on your proximity to it, since it is oil vapour the following other problems may occur: Asthma, Eczema, Dry skin, Heat Rash, Dry Itchy Eyes, Gluey Tears - impairs vision, the eyes do not expunge foreign material normally and fill up with eyelashes. It is not recommended that you approach the incense user, even if they seem to be a friendly neighbour. They may say and do anything to ensure they can continue using it.

---

Certain sensory inputs, such as smells or noises, can definitely lead to anxiety and panic.

The best course of action would be to see a mental health proffessional.

I'm a psychology student in college, but i am not a proffessional, so please don't treat this as legitimate medical advice. But you're situation interests me because i also deal with anxiety and panic, so i would like to offer you some insight into why this is happening to you.

Ask yourself why the strong smells and loud sounds cause this anxiety. It's very possible that earlier in your life, you experienced a traumatic event, which you came to associate with strong odors and loud noises. Upon getting these sensory inputs, your brain 'remembers' the traumatic event (even if you conciously don't) , triggering panic.

It's also possible that the anxiety is caused just because you know that these things affect you in this way. Panic attacks are so traumatic (i know, ive had my fair share), that people can develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after having just one panic attack. Maybe you panicked one time while smelling perfume. Now, there's anxiety about the anxiety because you don't want it to happen again.

The best way to go about fixing this is to retrain your brain to associate smells or noises with pleasant thoughts and feelings, instead of anxiety and panic.

To do this, you need to experience the sensory inputs in a safe, controlled environment.

For example, get in a spot where you are most comfortable (physically, and emotionally). My bedroom is my spot of choice. Maybe have a close, trusted friend sit with you. Make sure no one will disturb you, and you have no obligations or things to be stressed about.

Turn on the stereo at a very quiet level. After some time, increase the volume. If you start to feel anxious, turn it down a little bit, enough so that your anxiety doesnt interfere with thinking.

Now is the time when you reassure yourself. Ask: Why am i anxious right now? I'm sitting in my own room, with my best friend, and absolutely nothing is going on. I'm completely safe. There is no reason for me to not be at ease right now. The point is to get you to be OK with the noises.

Hopefully, then you will be able to move on to the next level and so on.

It will take lots of time, and lots of practice, so be patient.

In the meantime, a technique that my doctor told me and has worked pretty well goes like this: if ever in a moment of anxiety, take all of your focus and direct it inward into the center of your body. As you breathe in and out, visualize a ball or balloon expanding and retracting with your breath. This technique works by basically shutting down the brain. Panic usually starts as anxiety and thoughts. For me, the thoughts just kept going in a downward spiral into panic. Redirecting your focus takes it away from those thoughts and lets your brain kindof 'reset' This takes practice though. Don't wait till you're in a bad situation to try it out. Try it under non stressful conditions first and you will eventually perfect it.

If you feel like i didn't get a grasp on your situation, then please go see a proffessional. Keep in mind, that the psyche is very delicate and should be treated with care. I don't know who you are, what you've been through, etc. I could be completely off and i would hate for your condition to be worsened. After all, i am just a student.

And lastly, hang in there. I know it's tough.

There does not appear to be a scientific name to describe the fear of costumes. Perhaps the fear stems from a fear of 'pretending' or 'being something other than what is' or is true. I, myself, have an aversion to costumes even though my favorite literature, movies, etc. are all of periods in time that include some of the most widely worn costumes. The Rennaisance era and Civil War era are two examples of what I mean. 'Dressing up' for special occasions even feels 'unnatural' to me so I rarely do it except perhaps weddings and funerals. Even then, I wear very little makeup because I do not feel 'myself' if the cosmetics change my natural appearance too drastically.

Personally, my aversion does not bother me. I am happy to be who I am. If your fear should begin to interfere with your happiness, however, please consult with a doctor to help you to address your fear.

anglomania - craze or obsession with England and the English

Viper1