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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by hrtlm on December 2, 2001, at 12:56:10
Recently, I've become very sensitive to (highly annoyed by) sounds and smells in my apartment complex. I literally feel like I'll come out of my skin the next time someone shuts a door loudly. And the smells that leak into my apartment from the wall I share with someone else. I can hardly stand it anymore. Is this heightened anxiety?
Posted by Kristi on December 2, 2001, at 13:58:48
In reply to Is this part of the anxiety?, posted by hrtlm on December 2, 2001, at 12:56:10
> Recently, I've become very sensitive to (highly annoyed by) sounds and smells in my apartment complex. I literally feel like I'll come out of my skin the next time someone shuts a door loudly. And the smells that leak into my apartment from the wall I share with someone else. I can hardly stand it anymore. Is this heightened anxiety?
You just touched on something I've felt all my life. Isn't it annoying???????? I can be in a crowded room with people chatting like crazy.. and what I hear is someone breathing funny. Or a movie theater hear someone chomping their popcorn all the way in the front when I'm in the back.
If anyone has an answer to her question I would love to hear it also!
Posted by sar on December 2, 2001, at 14:40:43
In reply to Re: Is this part of the anxiety? » hrtlm, posted by Kristi on December 2, 2001, at 13:58:48
in my own life, i relate it to displaced anger, which may relate to anxiety somehow, i don't know.
my mother used to come home from work and go into an frighteningly angry frenzy because i'd left my shoes in the hall (or anyplace but the closet). it took me awhile to figure out that it really had nothing to do with the shoes.
Posted by Willow on December 2, 2001, at 20:06:16
In reply to Re: Is this part of the anxiety?, posted by sar on December 2, 2001, at 14:40:43
The above link is to a book titled Raising the Spirited Child and yes the cover picture is of me in my younger years. I do believe that you should be able to find it in your local public library. I gave the link so you would have the author name and title.
I read it years ago when I was much newer at this parenting. You may be wondering what a book about spirited children has to do with us? It has quite a few scenarios that I do believe you'll be able to relate to. The caption on the web site says it better: "More Intense, Sensitive, Perceptive, Persistent, and Energetic."
What is helpful? The only things that I have found to help me is to control my enviornment and better yet are drugs that quiet my senses. This comes at a cost though, but the trick is to find the balance that is acceptable to each of us as individuals.
> my mother used to come home from work and go into an frighteningly angry frenzy because i'd left my shoes in the hall (or anyplace but the closet). it took me awhile to figure out that it really had nothing to do with the shoes.
Sar I can't say that at your age I would have been able to acknowledge such a corelation. I do agree that anger can be a symptom of anxiety, but it does represent so many other things too.
For me it can be that I'm just exhausted, my children are good examples of this, when they're over tired they just become plain ornery. You've probably seen some of these children in stores. Sometimes it's a reaction to frustration, for example trying to force a square peg into a round hole. And sometimes, very rarely, I just plain wake up this way, on the wrong side of the bed.
(What is my point? I don't know! All I'm doing is thinking of Kazoo. I wish I could say Ka-who?)
Whispering Willow
Posted by Greg A. on December 2, 2001, at 22:53:41
In reply to Re: Is this part of the anxiety?, posted by sar on December 2, 2001, at 14:40:43
>it took me awhile to figure out that it really had nothing to do with the shoes.
Wonderful observation sar. Some people never figure out that it has nothing to do with the shoes. As a parent of 2 teenage girls, I am guilty of the shoe thing. For me it's depression and a day when things are not going too well. Or a build up of frustrations over a lot of minor things. Late for work or appointment. Bank overdrawn. Unforseen car repair. I try to put things into perspective, and I'm better at it that I used to be, but I don't always succeed. How many of us find ourselves doing the things to our kids that we swore we would never do? We're not bad parents, or bad people - we're just human.
I grew up with the knowledge that my parents were perfect, until about age 13, when I discovered they were all too human. Lots of flaws. I then, as many teenagers do, decided I was perfect. i have long since found out otherwise.Greg
PS - anyone heard from Cass?
PPS - willow - hope I'm not out of line, but what's the thing with Kazoo?
Posted by mist on December 2, 2001, at 23:34:36
In reply to Is this part of the anxiety?, posted by hrtlm on December 2, 2001, at 12:56:10
I'm sensitive to noises too, but I always have been. In my case, I don't think it's anxiety. I just like quiet so I can concentrate and relax. However, sometimes I think caffeine exacerbates my irritation with annoying sounds. It makes me more subtly irritable in general. -mist
> Recently, I've become very sensitive to (highly annoyed by) sounds and smells in my apartment complex. I literally feel like I'll come out of my skin the next time someone shuts a door loudly. And the smells that leak into my apartment from the wall I share with someone else. I can hardly stand it anymore. Is this heightened anxiety?
Posted by sar on December 3, 2001, at 11:48:50
In reply to Re: Is this part of the anxiety?, posted by Willow on December 2, 2001, at 20:06:16
Willow,
is that really you on the cover? how'd you pull that one?
i forgot to mention that when i worked at the bookstore i saw a book about the overly sensitive individual, i can't remember what it's called, but this type of person would have trouble going to loud, crowded, lots-of-scents places (malls, etc). you might do a search for that book.
i mentioned the anger thing because it's just true for me. when i've had a bad day (and in my pre-klonopin days) i just want to scream "Would you stop CHEWING like that???!!"~whereas, if i'm fed, relaxed, feeling loved, etc, the person could chew like a damn cow and i wouldn't care too much.
i also brought it up because i have 2 very meek, sweet, submissive, physically small girlfriends who are absolute *terrors* on the road, cutting people off, nearly mowing down pedestrians, not letting other cars merge, etc...and i see them as very angry, anxious people.
just some early morn observations. off to finish my tea and read s'more...
Posted by tina on December 3, 2001, at 14:41:46
In reply to Is this part of the anxiety?, posted by hrtlm on December 2, 2001, at 12:56:10
I am a horrible bitch people say. It's because I am very intolerant of incessant noises, irritating smells, annoying things in general that of course no one else finds annoying.
If it helps, I wasn't like this before my anxiety disorder. I am really angry, frustrated and generally outraged when there is a car alarm going off or the tv is too high or anything like that. It's sensory overload and yes, I believe it is part of an anxiety disorder.
> Recently, I've become very sensitive to (highly annoyed by) sounds and smells in my apartment complex. I literally feel like I'll come out of my skin the next time someone shuts a door loudly. And the smells that leak into my apartment from the wall I share with someone else. I can hardly stand it anymore. Is this heightened anxiety?
Posted by nightlight on December 3, 2001, at 21:08:20
In reply to Is this part of the anxiety?, posted by hrtlm on December 2, 2001, at 12:56:10
hrtlm~
I've been this way for a while-always had heightened olfactory sense. As a kid, I could sometimes tell my mother from what store she had bought new clothes! Freaked her out.
What is your overall diagnosis? Mine is still in progress, but, ADD is definitely in there (along w/anxiety/depression). Heightened sensory sensitivity is often a strong trait in ADD'ers. My husband loves to listen to rock music while shaving and showering. I like rock, and he has good taste, but around the age of 20 I began to realize most all music except classical made me edgy & anxious. I couldn't think clearly with music on, too much background noise-general life noise included affected me that way too, at times.
I had an unplanned child 5 yrs. ago. She is the love of my life, but...quiet, serene solitude is practically banished from my life, for the time being, anyway. It used to comprise the majority of my non-work time, even when married. And my nerves stay pretty raw.
I can't have a conversation with the tv on in the same room, heavy fragrances send immediate sharp pain thru my forehead, I visisbly startle at a door slamming and consistently gasp/curse or both when something unexpected happens (good or bad).
Yeah, the 'sensitivity' is connected somehow, to our mental state, and is greatly exacerbated by stress, depression, anxiety. But, there may have been a predisposition there, waiting for the vulnerable moment.
I know I am feeling much better when I can listen to a cd without it making me want to jump outta my skin.
2mgs. klonopin daily helps, as does a stimulant, which helps me concentrate on what *I* want to, at least for a while.
nightlight> Recently, I've become very sensitive to (highly annoyed by) sounds and smells in my apartment complex. I literally feel like I'll come out of my skin the next time someone shuts a door loudly. And the smells that leak into my apartment from the wall I share with someone else. I can hardly stand it anymore. Is this heightened anxiety?
Posted by tina on December 5, 2001, at 8:59:51
In reply to Re: Is this part of the anxiety? » hrtlm, posted by nightlight on December 3, 2001, at 21:08:20
nightlight
Doesn't taking a stimulant AND klonopin sort of cancel eachother out?
It's always great to read your posts. You seem to have exactly the same symptoms and disorders that I have. It's good to know that someone believes you and you are having a good experience with treatment. I wish i could find that.
be well
Tina> hrtlm~
>
> I've been this way for a while-always had heightened olfactory sense. As a kid, I could sometimes tell my mother from what store she had bought new clothes! Freaked her out.
>
> What is your overall diagnosis? Mine is still in progress, but, ADD is definitely in there (along w/anxiety/depression). Heightened sensory sensitivity is often a strong trait in ADD'ers. My husband loves to listen to rock music while shaving and showering. I like rock, and he has good taste, but around the age of 20 I began to realize most all music except classical made me edgy & anxious. I couldn't think clearly with music on, too much background noise-general life noise included affected me that way too, at times.
>
> I had an unplanned child 5 yrs. ago. She is the love of my life, but...quiet, serene solitude is practically banished from my life, for the time being, anyway. It used to comprise the majority of my non-work time, even when married. And my nerves stay pretty raw.
>
> I can't have a conversation with the tv on in the same room, heavy fragrances send immediate sharp pain thru my forehead, I visisbly startle at a door slamming and consistently gasp/curse or both when something unexpected happens (good or bad).
>
> Yeah, the 'sensitivity' is connected somehow, to our mental state, and is greatly exacerbated by stress, depression, anxiety. But, there may have been a predisposition there, waiting for the vulnerable moment.
>
> I know I am feeling much better when I can listen to a cd without it making me want to jump outta my skin.
>
> 2mgs. klonopin daily helps, as does a stimulant, which helps me concentrate on what *I* want to, at least for a while.
>
> nightlight
>
>
>
>
>
> > Recently, I've become very sensitive to (highly annoyed by) sounds and smells in my apartment complex. I literally feel like I'll come out of my skin the next time someone shuts a door loudly. And the smells that leak into my apartment from the wall I share with someone else. I can hardly stand it anymore. Is this heightened anxiety?
Posted by Pamela Lynn on December 5, 2001, at 15:13:19
In reply to Re: Is this part of the anxiety?, posted by sar on December 3, 2001, at 11:48:50
Sar,
WOW, I sooo relate to that displaced anger thing. It is the same for me. Sometimes I, too, want to just scream!!
P.L.
> Willow,
>
> is that really you on the cover? how'd you pull that one?
>
> i forgot to mention that when i worked at the bookstore i saw a book about the overly sensitive individual, i can't remember what it's called, but this type of person would have trouble going to loud, crowded, lots-of-scents places (malls, etc). you might do a search for that book.
>
> i mentioned the anger thing because it's just true for me. when i've had a bad day (and in my pre-klonopin days) i just want to scream "Would you stop CHEWING like that???!!"~whereas, if i'm fed, relaxed, feeling loved, etc, the person could chew like a damn cow and i wouldn't care too much.
>
> i also brought it up because i have 2 very meek, sweet, submissive, physically small girlfriends who are absolute *terrors* on the road, cutting people off, nearly mowing down pedestrians, not letting other cars merge, etc...and i see them as very angry, anxious people.
>
> just some early morn observations. off to finish my tea and read s'more...
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