The Smell Of Fear

[shimmerz]

I wake up in the morning after a terror night and I have a smell to me. It is a sick smell. I call it the smell of fear. It is not present if I sleep well. Does anyone else notice this?

 

[StarChild]

Yes, dear shimmerz, I know this and experience this smell too. Often, when I'm going through deep fear or anxiety, there's this sour or sourish smell. My dogs (of course) notice it too. Whilst the more gentle one of the two of them can't handle it well (he starts to softly whimper and walks away backwards, shaking his head), my cheeky one will sniff me all over, then he looks straight into my eyes with kind of a worried expression. Then he will sit on my crossed legs, start licking my arms and hands very intensely. And every now and then he will look into my eyes, as if to check if his "remedy" starts to work. Sorry, I went off topic...

I really hate this kind of smell, and the cause of it even more. On such days I use chlorophyll tablets, put quite a few candles in my shower and use a mild, natural baby-soap (containing babassu oil, sweet almond oil, coconut oil, calendula oil, and butter of: shea, mango, cocoa and is scented with essential oils of jasmine, lavender and oil of roses). I need to use a piece of soap to hold in my hands and feel it on my skin. Sometimes the fragrances of this kind of soaps seem to release all the stinky bullshit inside my soul. And this is so intense, that I have to cry heavily. But it's not the usual desperate crying; It's kind of purifying and liberating. It even feels consoling afterwards.

Not sure, if my writing makes sense today, though. Having a hard time expressing what I feel or think... Just ditch it, if not helpful.

 

[shimmerz]

This makes perfect sense @TreeHugger ! It was articulated perfectly and you have given me quite a few great strategies for helping with this.

My mother - when I was young used to smell this in the morning and she confused it for body odor long before I hit puberty. I was humiliated for it and it is decades later that I recognize it for what it was.

It is a clue for me that she noticed it as I wondered how long I suffered from terrors. I am going to say for a very very long time. I thank you for your take on this and I will use your fabulous strategies to help cleanse me of it.

Your dogs sounds like such angels. I so wish I could have a dog again. Alas, I couldn't take care of it. Heavy sigh....

Love and Light sweet TreeHugger
Shimmerz

 

[Arr]

I have it too, but its the tragic smell of nightsweats for me

 

[Friday]

My senses tend to run a little hotter than most people... Possibly an ADHD thing. Possibly just a me thing. Whatever. Supertaster, can hear dog whistles, can smell when women are using pads instead of tampons... That kinda thing. Part of why I love loud music & flashing lights and smoking... Drowns out all the information flooding in at all times.

It's also part of why when I'm in a panic cycle I end up taking 5+ showers a day and changing my clothes (also swathing on deodorant in a 'hail Mary' -armpits, cleavage, groin- and perfume). If I don't wash off the scent of my own fear, I end up triggering dozens of panic attacks. Even if I have a cold and no sense of smell to speak of? I still cut out about 80% of my panic attacks as long as I'm washing the scent off of myself a few times a day.

 

[shimmerz]

I still cut out about 80% of my panic attacks as long as I'm washing the scent off of myself a few times a day

Fascinating. I wonder if this affects me more than I know. Thank you @FridayJones

but its the tragic smell of nightsweats for me

This is a really good way of putting it. Thank you @Arr For me it is very strong after a terror night but am sure others could smell it (as my mother did) during the day.
It would make sense that animals would react to it as well would it not?