Posted by Larry Hoover on October 31, 2004, at 22:13:55
In reply to Re: HELP!!! :( :( Freaking out about paint fumes » Larry Hoover, posted by AMD on October 31, 2004, at 18:56:30
> Thanks Larry.
>
> Actually, the door they were painting faced outside -- literally outside. (I'm at one of those extended stay hotels.) I was just worried about having slept while these fumes came into the apartment -- for who knows how long.
>
> But basically what you're saying is that horrid smell or not, that doesn't correlate to damage in your brain. If I had damage it was minute and probably temporary.Right.
> The fact that I didn't get a headache until after I'd gotten to the office (probably from stress) may indicate my exposure was minor to begin with. And it would take years of daily exposure to see permanent side effects?
That's my opinion, yes.
> The mind is vicious sometimes -- you freak out over something, the freaking out causes loss of concentration, which in turn makes one feel brain damaged, and you point your finger at something that triggered those feelings. And you can't accept the idea that you might be OK.
I'm impressed by your ability to see it this way. I go by my gut, and I really hoped that you'd not be offended by my viewpoint. Thank you for trusting me.
> Two weeks ago it was CO. This week paint fumes. The paint fumes freaked me out because of the duration. Probably an hour before the window was opened, and four or so hours after.
There's a link. Smell.
> Why do they put a warning label then on the paint "Contains solvents which can cause permanent brain and nervous system damage"? -- *sigh*
I think that was written to forestall any possible litigation. Like the warning that was on a blowdryer I bought. "Not for use in shower."
> Anyhow, I posted this first to the main Psycho-Babble board, if that indicates anything. :-)I dunno. Does it?
> Do you know of any medicines that might help dissipate these feelings of dread? I'm already on Celexa, Lamictal, and Geodon for the occasional anxiety. These feelings border on psychosis, I'd say.
> a
>I wouldn't jump to that conclusion. More like a phobic reaction, IMHO. Smell is the one sense that is not processed in the cortex of the brain. Smell is processed in the limbic system, the root of emotion. That's why perfume works its seductive magic, or the smell of baking cookies brings such pleaure. Also, an aroma can invoke vivid memories, because the limbic system connects to the hippocampi, and thus, memories.
I wonder if these sharp odors didn't trigger something of a phobic response, which then led to something like a panic reaction. If so, it might help to discuss this with a doctor, to maybe get a fast-acting benzo. That's a thought. Sometimes cognitive therapy can help with phobic obsessions, too. The goal of that is to catch yourself getting all wound up, and to rationally reassess what's triggering you.
I sense that you were reassured by discussing this with me. You can learn how to reassure yourself.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:381874
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/health/20041005/msgs/409829.html