Scents
Hi Sheba,
I’m an occupational therapist and SIPT certified sensory specialist and would like to comment on olfactory sensitivities.
The brain is one big sensory organ, receiving, modulating, storing sensory information for eventual processing. The reticular activating system (RAS) is an area of the brain that is a network of neurons that acts as a “filter” to incoming sensory information, deciding what is important to let through, and what should be blocked out.
Some people have difficulty processing sensory information, and their RAS either lets in too much, or not enough of a particular type of sensory input. These people have what we term a Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), which has been proposed for inclusion in the fifth version of the psychiatric manual DSM V.
This SPD can be in either one sensory channel (olfactory) or multiple channels (tactile, vision, auditory, movement, gustatory). SPD can be so debilitating, that the person can have such adverse reactions as vomiting, headaches, “roaring” in the ears, visual disturbances etc.
You can learn more about SPD by going to http://www.spdfoundation.net.
Let me know if you’d like more in depth information.
Have a GREAT day!
Sincerely,
Cris Rowan, BScOT, BScBi, SIPT, Approved Provider AOTA
CEO Zone’in Programs Inc.
6840 Seaview Rd.
Sechelt, BC V0N3A4
604-885-0986 office, 604-885-0389 fax
email crowan@zonein.ca
website www.zonein.ca