body odor and insane stress preventing job-retention

Post Reply New Topic

I like this approach. It's the James Coburn attitude, Don't particular give a damn one way or the other. It also reminds me what Herb Cohen talked about in his book (late 70s or early 80s!) You Can Negotiate Anything, where the party to a negotiation who cares more typically loses. The guy also wrote the book Negotiate This!: By Caring, But Not T-H-A-T Much, which I read some of but not all of (and sometimes that's all that's needed!).

I also like the approach, not there to make friends. The funny thing is, people may then seek you out, funny football story, something going on in their life which they have a strong need to tell someone.

I've kind of decided, friendly acquaintance maybe, but the whole set-up of a job tends to work against more genuine friendship.

SpiritBlooms: I read your reply and while I don't remember all of what you said there, I was really touched by what you said, about how I shouldn't have to accept or live with the reactions I'm getting. I'm a little concerned as I thought maybe you were mad at me and that's why you erased your post, but then checked your history and see you did it for others as well. I don't have much else to say other than I hope you're well.

Neueziel: It could be diet, but I'm never sure how long I should take it and it's very discouraging when you don't get immediate results days or weeks after making changes. Human biology as I take it (I'm hardly an expert), is slow to react to such changes, especially when the problem is so entrenched. And then you see people who are obese and can eat whatever they want and smell more or less fine as long as they wash up.

thewhitrbbit: This problem started to arise when I was around 18 years old, coinciding with the beginning of physical maturity and also my first regular access to the internet. The correlation, if there is any, would be fascinating if it weren't for the consequences to me.

Cozysweater: I was diagnosed with schizophrenia and psychotic disorder. My first diagnosis the first time I went to a shrink was actually Aspergers Syndrome, but doctors I saw later all disagreed with it. Being somewhat gullible and suggestible, I went along with that idea. I still haven't made up my mind, but acknowledge that the label has little bearing on me apart from what it tells me is shared between me and other people. It makes it easier to seek and find help and development, basically, but no other benefit besides.

As for the smell or fear of smelling being a symptom of this, I don't think so. Hearing disembodied voices or hallucinations has never been a feature of my own instance of psychosis. When I'm with people, I'll hear their voices talking in tones just shy of being inaudible, catching hints some subtle and others less so as I mentioned earlier in the thread. I doubt my subconscious mind is so devious as to put up such a fine, persistent, and detailed act. If it was, I would hope I could make better use for it than to keep myself tied down. Mainly the feature of my supposed schizophrenia that is most disruptive is the fear or apprehension toward other people and fearing that I'm being followed, watched, or that there is some harm plotted or threatened against me. This always gets in the way when I try to be productive, in fact today I'm having serious reservations about going into work. I keep thinking that today is the day they're going to do me in. Things my brother says or other people I have difficulty trusting, little catches of conversation that seem almost too portentous. People saying the words dead, death, killing, or when these words or meanings are implied through opposites or spoken code. The only thing that makes me consider that I shouldn't go with my instincts is the thought of letting my family down, and the more I consider that, I can't help but resign myself to fate, however grandly dismal it is.

Aardvark: So I guess your special interest is Hollywood, based on the references and the acting coach? Also, the high voice you mentioned, I have it too, and often seem to get mistaken for a gay guy. It doesn't help that I haven't had a meaningful relationship with a girl, ever. But when people use that as proof, they conveniently glaze over the fact that I've never had one with a man either. This is another thing that triggers a bit of paranoia and angst. I don't really want a relationship at this point, anyway, I just want to play video games, read and write.

I'm sorry. I should have probably explained somewhere why I did that. I was getting so hooked on this forum that I needed to take a break from it, and deleting the posts I was able to (you can only edit for up to a week) seemed a good way to discourage myself from returning so often. It had nothing to do with anyone but me. I'm sorry if I made you feel badly.

One thing for body odor I have a problem with sometimes. If your shoes smell, you smell. So even if your body is fine, if your shoes smell, the smell will come off your shoes to the rest of the world. So use thicker socks to absorb sweat and use a lot of foot powder in the shoes.

I recently heard something on the local news about a procedure to stop sweating being performed in New Orleans; it was the 1st time it was done around here.

It is now November 2013. I hope you still check this forum.

I can relate to a lot of what you have experienced.

I think, but I am not sure, I still experience problems with body odor. I have had an extremely hard time trying to find help. I saw a few doctors in the past and they would tell me that they did not notice anything unusual. I brought up the topic a few times with co workers and friends and I got similar responses. It seemed like no one wanted to get involved and it was easier to brush the topic aside. I have a hard time discussing this topic with my family. It is possible that my dad and my sister have a weaker sense of smell than other people.

I have not worked for a number of years. I am living with my parents. I am/was hoping to start working this year, but I am not sure if that will work out.

I struggled badly holding on to a job in the past when working in the past, getting hired, getting fired a few times, or leaving different jobs due to intense stress.

I will end this message for now, but I hope to hear from you sometime soon.

I don't think I smell especially bad but when I do smell I can smell myself even though people say you can't. I've had times where right after bathing or not long after my armpit would still smell to me. One thing I've found that helps is putting vinegar under my arms before I bathe. It kills the bacteria that makes the sweat stink.