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Aniexty and body odor
Help,
With my aniexty I get severe body odor. I can live with the aniexty and panic, but for 9 years I also suffer with body odor which seem to come with the aniexty. It is totally ruining my life. I don't sweat with the disorder but the stronger the aniexty the stronger the odor. Does anyone else suffer from this.
With my aniexty I get severe body odor. I can live with the aniexty and panic, but for 9 years I also suffer with body odor which seem to come with the aniexty. It is totally ruining my life. I don't sweat with the disorder but the stronger the aniexty the stronger the odor. Does anyone else suffer from this.
Hey everyone,
I'm 33 yrs old and I am also one who falls victim to this. I'm writing ehre in hopes that someone will read it and shed some light in my situation. Although I have not yet been clinically diagnosed I get anxious around people because of a fear that i smell. My best of friends try to reassure me that I don't but I'm lead to think one of two things. 1) they're hiding the truth from me, 2) they're used to my smell. How could I think this way with my friends?
For about two years now when I'm around strangers I've been paying attention to the way people react after they look at me when standing close enough. I get more reactions to pay attention to when I speak. As some mention here, there are the varieties of touching their nose. What gets me most is when people actually say stuff like "smells like bathroom in here" or "what's that god awful smell?" when i'm just 2-5 feet away. As people approach me in as I stand in crowded areas, I'll notice people look right at me as if they can tell even in a sea of people that i'm the culprit of a nearby odor. Like many here I shower every morning before I leave the house and once more before I go to bed. The people I ask continue to tell me they don't smell anything. Yet the other reactions I watch out for continue.
"It's all in the mind" my friends insist. And after reading your comments I realized something that's been playing in my mind -- that there's a vicious circle with anxiety of B.O and B.O. itself. If anxiety triggers B.O. and bad odor is what you're concerned with in social situations, you're bound to have it. The only way to avoid it is to not think about it, right?
I definitely try not to think about it sometimes and most of the time I'm successful. Friends reassurance + shower / brush teeth before I leave the house have me thinking there's nothing to worry about and anything I notice should be coincidence and warrant no explanations. I'm a man of many artistic talents so I really have a lot to be confident about. I'm even a lead singer of a band. We're great. People love us. Unfortunately still, my walls get chipped at the sight of every nose twitch and my world turns upside-down the second someone says "what's that smell?"
I exercise regularly so i know it's not that. I don't drink alcohol often. My diet is quite good and consistent. I can only get stronger by continuing to not care what people think but sometimes I can't help it. But now i feel it's my only choice besides medication which I absolutely refuse.
So that's my story. Thanks for reading.
I'm 33 yrs old and I am also one who falls victim to this. I'm writing ehre in hopes that someone will read it and shed some light in my situation. Although I have not yet been clinically diagnosed I get anxious around people because of a fear that i smell. My best of friends try to reassure me that I don't but I'm lead to think one of two things. 1) they're hiding the truth from me, 2) they're used to my smell. How could I think this way with my friends?
For about two years now when I'm around strangers I've been paying attention to the way people react after they look at me when standing close enough. I get more reactions to pay attention to when I speak. As some mention here, there are the varieties of touching their nose. What gets me most is when people actually say stuff like "smells like bathroom in here" or "what's that god awful smell?" when i'm just 2-5 feet away. As people approach me in as I stand in crowded areas, I'll notice people look right at me as if they can tell even in a sea of people that i'm the culprit of a nearby odor. Like many here I shower every morning before I leave the house and once more before I go to bed. The people I ask continue to tell me they don't smell anything. Yet the other reactions I watch out for continue.
"It's all in the mind" my friends insist. And after reading your comments I realized something that's been playing in my mind -- that there's a vicious circle with anxiety of B.O and B.O. itself. If anxiety triggers B.O. and bad odor is what you're concerned with in social situations, you're bound to have it. The only way to avoid it is to not think about it, right?
I definitely try not to think about it sometimes and most of the time I'm successful. Friends reassurance + shower / brush teeth before I leave the house have me thinking there's nothing to worry about and anything I notice should be coincidence and warrant no explanations. I'm a man of many artistic talents so I really have a lot to be confident about. I'm even a lead singer of a band. We're great. People love us. Unfortunately still, my walls get chipped at the sight of every nose twitch and my world turns upside-down the second someone says "what's that smell?"
I exercise regularly so i know it's not that. I don't drink alcohol often. My diet is quite good and consistent. I can only get stronger by continuing to not care what people think but sometimes I can't help it. But now i feel it's my only choice besides medication which I absolutely refuse.
So that's my story. Thanks for reading.
has anyone tried using apple cider vinegar on the skin before taking a shower?(10-15mins once a week)
they say it returns the natural acidity of your skins,ph balance, killing BO.
I've had BO problems since i was in high school,nothing worked. But this year has been the worst, giving me bouts of depression and anger, and asking myself why i am suffering from this. I really need some solution to this as i am losing hope..
**ive tried everything from chlorophyll, activated carbon, various deodorants,anti bacterial soaps,etc
they say it returns the natural acidity of your skins,ph balance, killing BO.
I've had BO problems since i was in high school,nothing worked. But this year has been the worst, giving me bouts of depression and anger, and asking myself why i am suffering from this. I really need some solution to this as i am losing hope..
**ive tried everything from chlorophyll, activated carbon, various deodorants,anti bacterial soaps,etc
has anyone tried using apple cider vinegar on the skin before taking a shower?(10-15mins once a week)
they say it returns the natural acidity of your skins,ph balance, killing BO.
I've had BO problems since i was in high school,nothing worked. But this year has been the worst, giving me bouts of depression and anger, and asking myself why i am suffering from this. I really need some solution to this as i am losing hope..
**ive tried everything from chlorophyll, activated carbon, various deodorants,anti bacterial soaps,etc
they say it returns the natural acidity of your skins,ph balance, killing BO.
I've had BO problems since i was in high school,nothing worked. But this year has been the worst, giving me bouts of depression and anger, and asking myself why i am suffering from this. I really need some solution to this as i am losing hope..
**ive tried everything from chlorophyll, activated carbon, various deodorants,anti bacterial soaps,etc
All of your ideas work. When I learned that sweat itself is odorless,( that the bacteria on skin causes the odor) I realized I needed to change certain things. I cut back on spices like cumin, curry and garlic.I shave and/or wax all body hair. I started using antibacterial liquid soap to shower.And most important, BEFORE applying anti-perspirant/deodorant I spread a thin film of Neosporin or any triple antibiotic on both armpits, small of the back,and private parts. Worked like a charm. I still get a lil nervous about people getting to close to me, but I KNOW I don't reek or smell bad anymore. Hope this helps and works for you!
First of all, let me say that i am a recovering "body odor" anxiety sufferer. I am currently 30 yrs old, and have only been anxiety free from body odor for about 5 years. It started around 7th grade, with a small comment from a family member stating that i smelled. It was a downward spiral from there, which made high-school a living hell. I was convinced that i had body odor all day, every day after small amounts of sweating. It would only take me overhearing someone mention the words like "smell, stink, odor, etc" that would send me into a reclusive, introverted state. I assumed everyone thought i smelled. This anxiety only caused me to sweat more. I am by nature an extremly outgoing, and friendly person. However, anyone (outside of immediate family) who knew me back in the day would have told you i was a loner, loser, and very strange.
Currently, i own a business with 45 employees, which requires me to be very up close and personal with people on a daily basis.
Let me say this.....
I have no idea to what extent or severity of an odor that my body produces when i sweat. All i can say, is that now that i have conquered the fear of smelling, whatever smell i project doesnt seem to bother anyone as bad as i thought.
I think our minds start to go into warp speed when it comes to this disorder. Thats right, i said disorder.
This is how i got over it.......
I went on vacation to the beach for a week when i was 18. While there, i met about 8 other individuals who were there on vacation as well hanging out on the beach. I decided at that point that since i was 400 miles from home, and i would probably never see these people again, i would just be myself and get to know them, and just forget about body odor regardless of how offended they were by the way i smelled.
We all hit it off, and suddenly it occured to me that nobody was offended by my body odor. I started getting closer to people, and by closer i mean the space between how far i stand from them. Where before, a yard space between me and a person felt like inches, i suddenlu didnt care anymore. I left that trip with the conclusion that most of this body odor thing was in my mind. Sure, i may have had body odor, that is totally possible. I still to this day dont know if it was all in my head, or if my body put off a distinct odor when i got nervous. All i know is, the way you handle this disorder is contageous.
What i mean is...... If you continue to accept the fact that you smell, and that this smell offends everyone, you will continually get worse.
However, if you can find it inside of you somewhere, just to let go, and not care, if even for a weekend, i think that you will find that the results will be contageous in a positive way.
Sorry for the novel, but i just wanted to offer some encouragement. You can beat this. And the best way to do it is to just let go. Easier said than done, i know. It took me most of my life to beat it. Now, im well known in the community, and love to socialize.
Currently, i own a business with 45 employees, which requires me to be very up close and personal with people on a daily basis.
Let me say this.....
I have no idea to what extent or severity of an odor that my body produces when i sweat. All i can say, is that now that i have conquered the fear of smelling, whatever smell i project doesnt seem to bother anyone as bad as i thought.
I think our minds start to go into warp speed when it comes to this disorder. Thats right, i said disorder.
This is how i got over it.......
I went on vacation to the beach for a week when i was 18. While there, i met about 8 other individuals who were there on vacation as well hanging out on the beach. I decided at that point that since i was 400 miles from home, and i would probably never see these people again, i would just be myself and get to know them, and just forget about body odor regardless of how offended they were by the way i smelled.
We all hit it off, and suddenly it occured to me that nobody was offended by my body odor. I started getting closer to people, and by closer i mean the space between how far i stand from them. Where before, a yard space between me and a person felt like inches, i suddenlu didnt care anymore. I left that trip with the conclusion that most of this body odor thing was in my mind. Sure, i may have had body odor, that is totally possible. I still to this day dont know if it was all in my head, or if my body put off a distinct odor when i got nervous. All i know is, the way you handle this disorder is contageous.
What i mean is...... If you continue to accept the fact that you smell, and that this smell offends everyone, you will continually get worse.
However, if you can find it inside of you somewhere, just to let go, and not care, if even for a weekend, i think that you will find that the results will be contageous in a positive way.
Sorry for the novel, but i just wanted to offer some encouragement. You can beat this. And the best way to do it is to just let go. Easier said than done, i know. It took me most of my life to beat it. Now, im well known in the community, and love to socialize.
I have STOPPED using "deodorants" at all!! Yes, i've had the no you don't smell to the "dude, is that me?" reactions. I am a male and I use female anti-antiperspirant under these brands "Suave" or "Secret" thats ONLY lightly scented. ie: Powder, Shower Fresh and so on.
IMPORTANT: I have Irish bloodline from my dad's side and am very susceptible to harsh body odors. The Men's Deodorant's do NOT stop sweating and actually MIX with the sweaty bad body odors. With the ladies anti-antiperspirant I do not really sweat and if I do its not that bad. I use it on my underarms and my chest area. I also put a dab of GOOD Cologne on everyday.
I haven't had a issue in 15 years. I also use a Big Scuff Ball instead of wash clothes during bathing or showering. It scrubs the dead skin and odors away. Also I wash and scrub my feet too. Having Irish in me and if I neglect or skip ANY of these steps. I will or others will notice! Well I hope I helped the readers.
IMPORTANT: I have Irish bloodline from my dad's side and am very susceptible to harsh body odors. The Men's Deodorant's do NOT stop sweating and actually MIX with the sweaty bad body odors. With the ladies anti-antiperspirant I do not really sweat and if I do its not that bad. I use it on my underarms and my chest area. I also put a dab of GOOD Cologne on everyday.
I haven't had a issue in 15 years. I also use a Big Scuff Ball instead of wash clothes during bathing or showering. It scrubs the dead skin and odors away. Also I wash and scrub my feet too. Having Irish in me and if I neglect or skip ANY of these steps. I will or others will notice! Well I hope I helped the readers.
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