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Who could blame them for being skeptical?
Cactus Creative Studio/Adobe Stock
But over the last year, anosmia rose in notoriety as one of the hallmark symptoms of the coronavirus.
And then there are people like me, congenital anosmics, who were born with no sense of smell.
The minuses far outweigh any pluses.
Expect a range of emotions.
Anosmia is an invisible disorder that can completely upend everyday life.
The first thing they are going to realize is their surroundings no longer seem the same.
So dont be surprised if this change takes a mental and emotional toll on you.
Its a huge loss, and you do go through the grieving process.
Boateng says she cycled through anger, depression, and then denial for several years.
Instead of tackling it head-on, I did my best not to pay attention to it.
It was too painful.
Connecting with other anosmics can help you realizeyoure not alone.
It makes people feel validated.
They dont feel weird, they dont feel different.
Seek out professional mental health support if it’s possible for you to.
Losing your sense of smell can significantly impact your well-being.
Anosmia can affect so many aspects of your life, including your work and your relationships.
Dont hesitate to seek mental health support if youre able to and are having an understandably hard time.
People have difficulty getting to grips with it because the condition is largely suffered in silence.
It’s very difficult to describe and talk about, and others tend to dismiss it, says Kelly.
But neurologically, other things are going on.
Two mechanisms are at work: the bereavement of losing the sense of smell and the neurological changes.
The need for depression support after smell loss is becoming very apparent and very necessary, Kelly says.
Know that your relationship with food might change.
Besides being tactless, this comment is incorrect.
She quickly noticed herself reaching for especially salty and sweet foods more often than she had before.
you could feel that tingling on your tongue when youre eating something salty.
Its true that your ability to smell and taste the nuances of whats on your plate will change.
But that doesnt mean you cant still enjoy your food, potentially in new ways.
Another tip is to activate other senses while eating.
Take extra safety precautions when cooking.
Maharaj relied on instinct and scent in the kitchen before anosmia hit seven years ago.
Now she sets two or three timers when cooking.
Paying much closer attention to expiration dates on food is also crucial, especially if you live alone.
Dalton advises being vigilant abouthow you store food, tossing leftovers earlier, and buying in smaller quantities.
Maharaj eventually stopped taking a small taste to determine if food is still fresh.
It became way more of a fear factor experience, she says.
Now she keeps tape and markers near her fridge to put dates on everything.
Similarly, Ostrowski cleans out her fridge at least once a week.
You dont want something pushed in the back turning into a science experiment, she says.
Lean on the other noses in your life.
you’re free to get in the same conversational space and engage with someone, says Dalton.
Smells can make people feel emotional.
I realized how much I was missing.
Says Dalton, Its no longer in the shadows.
