[LMo]

Ok, I realize that this is kind of a weird question, and if it comes at a bad time, then please accept my apologies.

My husband has gone through several episodes of severe depression, and although it has been under control lately, it always appears to be under the surface even though it hasn't taken over his life in the past few months.

However, there is always a certain "smell" that I associate with his depression. He slipped into nonfunctioning depression during the past week while I was out of town, and when he picked me up at the airport, I gave him a hug and BAM -- I knew it immediately. When I got home, the entire house smelled like it.

It's a bad smell, yes, but the "quality" of the smell isn't my concern or question. I'm just wondering if it is common to emit a different scent as one's brain chemistry shifts?

Have any of your loved ones told you about anything like this? Is it common?

Just curious - thanks

[Rhapsody]

Hmm -

That is a very good question.... for dogs can sense when something is not right, they locate lost people by scent, and they can even find (smell) that of cancer being presence in a persons body, and I always smell chicken right before I get a migraine.

BTW - I think it is possible for.... There’s research that shows people respond to the smell of male and female hormones in all sorts of ways, including mood changes, increased aggression, and sexual drive.


LoVe,
Rhapsody -

yup.....i can tell with both of my daughters and they sense it with me.....i totally believe it......xoxoxo

[LMo]

hey - what does it smell like for you with your daughters? Do they have the same "depression" smell?

My H's smells musty, like a sink full of moldy dishes. Well, that may be because there usually IS a sink full of moldy dishes (ew) when he gets depressed while I'm away. But even after I clean, and even before I get home, I can smell it on him. It's in his hair or on his skin or something. Hard to describe.

it's like musk. and i think it comes from the pores in the skin. it's "old" smelling.

[nothemama8]

it's almost like not bathing or using deoderant for a while

[Boopers]

This is so interesting as I have never heard or thought about this. I wonder if there has been any scientific studies done?



Linda

i'll research it. you know me......have to have the answers. i thought we were the only family that experienced it......

I found this: Any imbalances in metabolism will result in stronger odors. Thus, toxins are the main cause of the body odor.

I'll follow the metabolism lead............let you know later. xoxo Pat

[Perna]

I know I have different smells with different moods. My husband is an even-keel kind of guy though, doesn't get depressed or swings in mood. He is always able to express himself, knows when he is unhappy (like during the winter, he doesn't like winter weather, has already bugged me about wanting to go to Florida in January) and gets it out of his system emotionally so maybe he doesn't build up any smell? Hmm, I'll have to try that, "talk" more and emote to him instead of "brooding."

[LMo]

You know Rhapsody - I've been thinking about your point about the dogs. I tried to research this (hope you have better luck than I do Pat! Let me know!) and didn't come up with much, but when you mentioned the dogs, then yes, it has to have some scientific foundation. Dogs can also sense when someone is about to have an epileptic seizure. I think our cats sense when something is wrong, and dogs seem much more... don't know... astute about emotions than cats do so it would stand to reason.

[Perna]

I bet that because depressed people may have decreases in sense of smell/taste

http://www.scienceagogo.com/news/200...runc_sys.shtml

it's like having nightmares instead of regular dreams or not remembering dreams at all to get one's attention so one seeks help? They start to smell "strong" to get their and other people's attention?

[LMo]

Thanks Perna - that's plausible! I just read another article that states that dogs can sense mania in someone with bipolar, but it doesn't say whether the dog does it via smell or some other method. I found it via a search on "psychiatric dogs"