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BlueBaySenior Contributor
Can anyone help me?
Lately I have been smelling cigarette smoke but there is no one smoking. The smell was in my room last night and it triggers one of the abusers. I can smell it so clearly and it reminds me of one of the guys. The smell is so strong. Not sure if this is like hallucinations but with smell instead of seeing something/someone???
How do I overcome this? Why is this happening now? Does anyone have any advice/suggestions?
In response to: Smell is triggering
Unknown userMember
hi @BlueBay
im sorry that you're having this happen. I have had it happen too, and exactly same with cigarette smoke... or bad breathe from someone who smoked. My psychiatrist isnt sure its hallucianations but maybe more like flashbacks. though a lot of the time its jsut the smell without a video reel attached to. but often after a while the memories start flooding back anyway (though i spend so much energy fighting it the whole time, maybe im jsut pushing th ememories away and left with the 'smell'.. i dont know!)
I have also heard breathing, loud breathing, that i recognise, and in the past i coudlnt tell if it was real or not.
I'm not sure how to over come it, might be just needing to keep working on taming the ptsd for me and working on my self care strategies for coping with it better when it does happen.
i wish i had more answers for you/and for me! have you talked with your therapist about it? what do they say?
lj
In response to: Smell is triggering
Unknown userMember
Hi @BlueBay,
It sounds like you are experiencing a trauma response, and perhaps you were triggered by something around you. It may be useful to talk to you psychologist about this. Do you trust them enough to talk to them about these experiences?
Some people find grounding activities useful in these kind of situations. I wonder if anyone else has suggestions?
Take care!
In response to: Smell is triggering
BlueBaySenior Contributor
In response to: Smell is triggering
BlueBaySenior Contributor
In response to: Smell is triggering
Unknown userMember
In response to: Smell is triggering
BlueBaySenior Contributor
In response to: Smell is triggering
utopiaSenior Contributor
In response to: Re: Smell is triggering
BlueBaySenior Contributor
Hi @utopia
I need to get away from the smell, but I can't because it's there, wherever I go. I only realised this week what was going on. I need to distract myself fairly quickly otherwise I get drawn into the memories of the abuse and what he did and I lose it completely.
I never want to see him again, I know he is my brother but that doesn't mean i have to see him. Sometimes i feel like ringing up my mum and yelling at her and telling her that my brother was another one. See how she would feel then??? My brother has betrayed me, i lost trust in him, and all guys. He took away my childhood, my innocense. he destroyed me.
i;m so damn angry at the moment, i think it's PMT time and my mood is sky high. wanting to do so much to myself, oh @utopia I really need to talk to my psych. One minute i am fine and the next i am ready to rip into someone - my husband.
In response to: Smell is triggering
utopiaSenior Contributor
In response to: Re: Smell is triggering
BlueBaySenior Contributor
Thank you so much @utopia, you are such a nice person and friend on here for me.
I will try what you suggested and see how it goes. I think that what i am really struggling is the fact that my own parents are doing this to me. And I just don't understand, I know others on here have given me great replies and yes I do understand what they're saying - but I just can't face the fact that what they are doing is really hurtful.
I have so much to work on still. Anger is a big part of my thoughts at the moment. if only .... so many . but i can't keep saying 'if only'. the abuse happened i can't change that but gosh i am so bloody angry with that. and do you know that i have no photos of my childhood - not one. i asked my mum years ago and she replied 'oh i can't find them right now'. i have nothing and that makes me feel really sad because i wanted some for my children and their children.
i don't know anymore, i am so hurt and it's so deep within me that i struggle so much. I need to sort this thoughts of self harm and other negative serious stuff going on.
If it's not one thing it's another. I am sorry, I am on here too much, but i just need to vent out, talk to you or someone.
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Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
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