Olfactory Flashbacks

[FallColour]

I understand that this will come and go. Waking in full alert to molten steel and well the rest...I guess I can’t figure out my triggers. When it hits, it is real.

 

[jaccat]

Me too, smells are quite a strong triggering thing for me. And with the smelling things that aren't there.

 

[Marie P]

Me too, smells are quite a strong triggering thing for me. And with the smelling things that aren't there...

The smell is so overwhelming it keeps me up at night and no matter the deep breathing I do, the 30 minute spin I do, the hourlong walk I do, it will not go away. Until it wants to. I have resorted to taking an occasional Xanax to calm me down as the small is so overwhelming I start to panic because I can't focus on what I need to get down. I have told this is a flasback and flashbacks are a signing of healing and to just let it reveal itself so your mind can work through the trauam. But oh is it F-ing annoying and inconvenience. I have found a fantastic massage therapist and I'm looking into doing my hypnotherapy, which I've found to be helpful too. Good luck people! This is not for the weak. Takes courage to work this out of our systems.

 

[FallColour]

Thanks for mentioning the hypnosis -- I did get some relief about fifteen years ago when I underwent 2-3 hypnosis sessions. Unfortunately, I've moved so darn many times that finding heath care providers (decent ones) is super challenging. I find exercise helpful for stress management, but not the flashbacks. Yes, good luck to all and thanks for sharing here.

 

[Crow]

All the time. SE has really help to dilute my olfactory flashbacks. Way back these would send me into the worse crashes.

 

[MyWillow]

An old thread but reassuring in a way. Smelling vomit when I’m showering is not doing much for my nervous system.

 

[Fadeaway]

I was going to make a thread like this. I didn't understand what it was at first. I was very concerned, scared even. I eventually connected it to my stress levels then I realized they were flashbacks but some of the odors I can't connect to trauma.

 

[MyWillow]

I was going to make a thread like this. I didn't understand what it was at first. I was very concerned...

Yeah me neither. I have no idea. It’s rathed disconcerting.

 

[ILoveLife]

I've been having these..

 

[Briar Rose]

I have them too…
Sometimes I smell stuff out of nowhere, I immediately freeze when this happens and get somatic symptoms as well, mostly dizziness which is a trigger itself for me.
Most of the times these events are followed by visual flashbacks for me.

I use to take an essential oil with me where ever I go, helps a bit!

 

[mamachick]

Tonight I was watching a tv series and kept having a remembrance of a smell that only lasted seconds but made me anxious. It probably happened 10 times during a 3 hour period and only lasting seconds each time. I could not identify it. It resembled something used for anesthesia but I don't think that is was it was. I attempted to concentrate and bring it back to remember it better but could not. By the end of the evening I was feeling really anxious.

 

[VeeyValyn]

Has anyone else ever had olfactory flashbacks (smells that are "not there")? I'm having these all the time now. Combined with nausea, they are horrible experiences. I smell dirty men's genitalia, something like the putrid odor of a men's toilet, and urine in general. There's no pattern. Once I smelled it while sticking my nose into a package of coffee.

Sometimes they freak my out, although I'm getting used to them.

I *do not* understand why this is happening to me!!

My dear sweet mother died unexpectedly a few days ago. As I tried to ressecutate her I smelled her vomit.
Now not matter how much I scrub and perfume I can't stop catching whiffs of the smell. Like a milky baby's vomit and it sends me into a dark spiral
I hope it goes away