Laptop smell; dangerous?

[Doberman38]

My laptop's been emitting this soldery type smell for a few weeks and (very stupidly) I've been procrastinating getting it looked at and used it now and again to secure documents in case it dies. Every time I use it I get a slight headache and feel a bit funny in my head, even if I don't smell it, and it's just dawned on me...what if it's from whatever's been causing the smell? What if I've been inhaling some toxic substance from something burning in my computer? There's been no visible smoke or anything but I'm completely terrified. I'm really worried that it's too late and that whatever I've breathed in will give me cancer in the future.

I've had a very long history with health anxiety, but this is a case where I don't know if I can chalk it up to that.

[Petal22]

Hi Doberman38,

Im sorry you are feeling this way.

I have a lived experience of severe anxiety OCD, when I was in the grips of this cycle I would have a lot of what if questions……. And I’d constantly seek reassurance…. ( this was a compulsion of mine).. the further I got into my cycle the more my anxiety would increase.

If you are feeling unwell please have yourself checked by your gp…… 😊

[Doberman38]

Hi Petal.

Thanks for your very kind reply.

I'm sorry you deal with similar things too; OCD isn't fun and saps all the productive energy away.

I was meant to visit the gp again soon so I think I'll bring it up then.

I just really hope most of my symptoms are from anxiety and not from whatever's coming from the PC.

[Croix]

Dear Doberman38~

I'm afraid the only way to really set your mid at rest is to get your laptop checked over for overheating and you checked for the headaches.

All may well come down to minor matters, however one good thong to come out of it is your have backed up important documents, something everyone should do anyway. Relying upon just one computer and having nothing anywhere else is a bit risky.

I tend to have all the important stuff in a separate fireproof box as well as on my computer. There is nothing worse than losing official documents.

I guess wiht the OCD it must be a bit like my anxiety. If I manage to stop worrying about one thing my mind immediately goes and picks on something else, as if the anxiety has to keep busy, doesn't matter what it is that is the current subject.

Croix

[mmMekitty]

Hi Doberman38,

It's a good idea to be sure there is or not any physical reason for the way you are feeling.

Why do you suppose you have not got your pc/laptop checked out, to see if it is emitting any fumes? Knowing whether it is or not may help to clarify the situation.

All the best,

mmMekitty

[Petal22]

Hi Doberman38,

Thank you 😊 yes I went on a very long mental health journey with my OCD, it was a marathon but it’s a marathon that I won!

Ive now recovered after receiving the help I needed to learn how to break free of the vicious cycle of OCD.

Im sorry you are dealing with OCD I understand how hard it is to have this condition, it’s a very cruel condition to have.

Have you had any therapy for your OCD?

Do you know all of the things that keep you in your OCD cycle?