Understanding Bromidrophobia or Fear of Smelling Bad

Understanding Bromidrophobia or Fear of Smelling Bad Phobias Types Print Understanding Bromidrophobia or Fear of Smelling Bad By Lisa Fritscher Lisa Fritscher is a freelance writer and editor with a deep interest in phobias and other mental health topics. Learn about our editorial policy Lisa Fritscher Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD on November 25, 2019 twitter linkedin Daniel B. Block, MD, is an award-winning, board-certified psychiatrist who operates a private practice in Pennsylvania. Learn about our Medical Review Board Daniel B. Block, MD Updated on January 27, 2020 Marlene Ford/Getty Images More in Phobias Types Causes Symptoms and Diagnosis Treatment Bromidrophobia may be the result of today’s emphasis on cleanliness that has led us to believe that bodily scents are dirty or taboo. This mental health issue can lead to an unhealthy obsession with ensuring that our regular odors are removed or masked. Bromidrophobics can also have a fear of others body odors. Causes Good hygiene reduces the risks of disease transmission and infection. Regular washing along with sterilizing procedures when appropriate (operating rooms, piercing equipment, etc.), is important for good health. However, like mysophobia, or fear of germs, bromidrophobia takes cleanliness too far. Bromidrophobia is a fear of perceived odors. Bromidrophobia may be linked with  obsessive-compulsive  disorder  or OCD. In OCD, however, the compulsion is the washing itself while in bromidrophobia the focus is on removing a smell. The difference is subtle, but important, and is best diagnosed by a trained clinician. Body Odor Is Natural Human beings, like animals, emit natural scents from our bodies. In a healthy person with reasonable hygiene, these odors are not offensive. In fact, these odors contain pheromones, which act as chemical communicators. Insects and other animals rely largely on pheromones to stimulate a wide range of behaviors. In humans, these chemicals seem to play a role in sexual attraction, although some research disputes this effect. Today, advertising and social conditioning teach us that its best to smell like soap, shampoo, and deodorant, which makes it is easy to develop the belief that any natural bodily scent is “bad” or “dirty” and you should mask it. In reality, it is impossible and unhealthy to remove or mask every single whiff of natural odor that might emit from the human body. Bromidrophobia may result from a conflict between the “ideal” but unrealistic perception of how we should smell and the reality of our bodies natural odor. Symptoms Most people have a routine before going out in public. Showering, washing your hair, applying deodorant, shaving, brushing your teeth and using a favorite perfume or cologne are all normal and healthy behaviors. If you suffer from bromidrophobia, however, this is not enough. You may develop extensive hygiene rituals that you obsessively follow before leaving the house. Your showers may gradually become longer and longer as you worry that you are not clean enough. Some people who suffer from bromidrophobia shower three or more times per day. Others damage their skin through excessive scrubbing and the drying effects of hygiene products. Your fear might expand past hygiene rituals and render you unable to use public restrooms due to fears of emitting odors. Women may develop a fear of being around others during their menstrual cycles. Bromidrophobes of both genders carry large bags wherever they go, full of emergency supplies designed to mask any odors that might develop. Complications Like many phobias, bromidrophobia tends to worsen over time. ??Eventually, you might find yourself restricting your activities. You may: Become reluctant to exercise or perform any tasks that might cause sweatingRefuse to go anywhere without pleasant restroom facilities where you can perform emergency odor controlDevelop a social phobia or even agoraphobia, out of the fear that you might be in a situation where you cannot immediately attend to any possible odors. Social Phobia Symptoms and Progression Treatment Because of the impact, this anxiety disorder can have on your daily life, it is very important to discuss your bromidrophobia with a qualified mental health professional. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is generally the treatment of choice.?? In this therapy, you will learn: Healthier ways of thinking about your own body and the scents that it emitsRelaxation techniques to manage your anxietyTo tolerate your own scent through a series of exercises known as systematic desensitization Overcoming your phobia is never easy, but with proper treatment, you can be successful. The 5 Best Relaxation Techniques for Phobias