The more I think of linking perfume to illness the more "incensed" I become. Perhaps one's sense of smell can be affected by depression and you fail to notice smells, but that would appear to be more a question of anhedonia in the case of fragrance, as I have mentioned depression rarely makes someone take an increased interest in pleasure and personal appearance.
If our brilliant scientists want to turn "overuse" of perfume into a pathological condition, and I'm convinced there is a prejudice against beautifully fragranced women in that "finding", perhaps the researchers should have decloaked their biases and opted for something else, say a personality disorder. Hmmm, maybe Narcissistic Personality Disorder with its focus on entitlement and admiration would better explain waves of floriental sillage? I mean, Professor Shoenfeld, if you have to turn overuse of fragrance (and you have not really explained what overuse is) into a psyciatric disorder why not go all the way? Instead of "poor baby, you wear too much Mitsouko", lets open the anti-fragrance sluice and say instead "you self-important, entitled woman, why don't you have more empathy for scientists who would rather smell formaldehyde?"
I for one will continue to wear perfumes without wondering if the wearing signals depression or narcissism to a scientist who would be better off not trying to take a possible decrease in olfactory perceptions among the depressed and jump to conclusions about women who wear an undefined overabundance of scent. Perfumes are a matter of personal preference. For many fragrance wearing signals a love for life and a passion for enjoying the beautiful things life has to offer. Joie de vivre, even if sometimes overdone, is not among the diagnostic criteria for a Depressive Disorder! The Maximalist loves fragrance, has a huge and growing collection, and will not be detered from enjoying it.
Today, I will wear an extra delicious spritz or two to celebrate the joy I find in perfume. Today, I'll enjoy Mr. Luten's fabulous Chergui and I'll not worry who is bothered.
Take that Professor Shoenfeld!
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
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