#wake up babe new gamie lore dropped today /j

[omegapheromone]

About the Drop thing, from a lifestyler perspective.

It's very similar to hypoarousal fainting/collapse, which is a real response to intense stress and a whole thing with (c-)ptsd and other trauma-related disorders. Where you might think of hyperarousal as the fight/flight/freeze response, hypoarousal is more like the "flop/faint" response, where you become incredibly numb. (Freeze response can actually fall into either hyper- or hypoarousal, as well, since it's about whether you're tensed up and hypervigilant vs limp and numb/unresponsive.) A little graphic via google from sciencedirect.com to explain it;

Now, the reason I bring this up is just because while I personally experience hypoarousal symptoms from previous trauma, the body CAN just respond to extreme distress like that without any prior trauma history. It's a sort of a, "if I play dead and numb myself, then I can't feel any more pain, and maybe the threat will leave me alone if it thinks I'm dead". And I think this is basically the same thing as an Omega Drop as described in this post, it's just not exclusive to a specific group of people. It's literally a remnant from early humans who had to deal with threats in the form of predators often, and playing dead was a way to protect oneself.

Anyway, re: Alpha Guard thing, while I can't speak from personal experience for various reasons, it sounds to me like an extreme fight response of sorts, triggered by an intense protective/territorial instinct- not necessarily any direct threat to the alpha themselves, from what I gathered. It makes sense to me that in omegaverse, Omega responses to extreme stress would lean more to the hypoarousal side while alpha stress responses would probably be on the hyperarousal side, though they're not exclusive. Anxiety is a hyperarousal-related emotion and anyone can feel it, for example, not just Alphas.

I also started wondering about the Betas, of course, because we don't ignore them here. I'd like to think that if Alphas tend to lean towards the more aggressive side of hyperarousal, and Omegas lean towards the shutdown/numb/self-protective responses, maybe for Betas (& any subdynamics!) it'd be more based on their individual character and role in an omegaverse story, especially if packs are involved, although I'd guess Flight and Freeze are common with Betas? Again, not that this is an exclusive thing or even uncommon for responses beyond what your dynamic is more predisposed to having. After all I'm just thinking in the terms of instincts and somewhat associating omegaverse to prey vs predator type animalistic behaviours, since that's what a lot of AUs draw inspiration from anyways.

I think the (observable) symptoms were already described well in the post. I think the weakening of the scent due to body stopping the release of pheromones especially is a big one, and that would likely be what triggers other dynamics the most- because even if the Omega still has their own scent, the pheromones are no longer being emitted and so all that's left is more like the scent that clings to belongings etc, rather than active pheromones- which is exactly what would happen when someone actually dies, at least in my personal canon. Pheromones are a part of the scent being so strong and attractive, but is separate from the scent itself in the sense that the body would still smell the same even without any pheromones present. And since emitting pheromones would be an autonomous nervous system-regulated process that responds to emotional states, if it stopped suddenly, the instinct-based parts of the brain would immediately associate it with death or deadly danger, and this would most likely immediately trigger especially Alphas, because their senses would interpret it as "omega injured/dying, must protect immediately".

Especially A/O mated Alphas would go practically completely feral if their omega experienced this, but even uust sharing a casual friendship bond or a pack bond would likely elicit this response from Alpha(s) familiar enough with the Omega, though not nearly to the same extent. It's probably also why Alphas could end up getting in fights between eachother at times due to an Omega dropping from stress- if they perceive the other is a threat, or if both were close to the omega and both think the other was scaring the omega. The reason Alphas must be approached with extreme caution isn't necessarily that they're trying to fight, but rather, they'll get incredibly agitated and aggressive if anyone approaches the Omega going through the drop, so it's important to be extremely unthreatening and calm when trying to approach.

On a side note, I think just as Omegas can experience the drop for any reason, Alphas could also experience a Guard response for other reasons than JUST an Omega dropping. I think a lot of it would be pack-based protectiveness, or protectiveness over their kids, friends, relatives, etc. I also think that some heavily traumatized Alphas would probably exhibit a guard-type response to more mundane things, like their material belongings, food, or even something they perceive as "theirs", for example a specific seat. You'd probably see this type of behaviour a LOT in orphaned Alpha kids and teens, especially, but it'd likely remain in some ways all the way to adulthood as well.

Lastly, just a personal addition, since I can somewhat give insight. "What does an Omega Drop, or in my case, "flop/faint response" feel like, and how would that look/be different if I was in an actual omegaverse setting?" Basically.

For me, when I get stressed out enough or a trauma-related trigger happens, and I start to go into hypoarousal state, I first notice it from the derealization. It starts to feel like I'm underwater in a way, because people's speech becomes sort of "dull" and feels partially silenced in my ears. Like I'm listening and looking at things from underwater- everything is sort of blurred together and dull, even if my senses work just fine. My brain just isn't processing any of it properly from being too overwhelmed. I start to act on "autopilot" and feel like I'm mostly just watching myself from afar. I don't actually usually faint or completely collapse in public, because I think my brain realizes that would attract even more unwanted attention, and just make things worse. So it usually happens slightly delayed after the initial trigger, when I get to a place where I can be mostly alone. And that feels like... honestly, it feels like nothing, because I quite literally black out so hard that I can't even remember it. I don't even realize time is passing. Coming out of it somewhat feels like waking up from a really long nap at a weird hour, except less "sleep-groggy" and infinitely more stressful and confusing because there's usually almost always some level of dissociative amnesia involved. It feels like I can't fully understand where I am, what happened, or how I even ended up unconscious, because I don't remember "falling asleep" or "going unconscious". I do know it's not actually me being asleep, because in some cases I've been able to maintain a position such as sitting down without completely slumping over, but there's also just absolutely no awareness of my surroundings, my own body, anything. I essentially am completely shut off from my own senses, and I doubt I'd feel much, if any pain, in that state. It's scary and unpleasant, and embarrassing to deal with when people have to witness it. I also know for a fact that my heart rate slows down a lot in this state, and I genuinely come across as fully unconscious and unresponsive to others.

As for, how would it be like in an omegaverse setting for my personal canon? I think there would still be some "warning signs" that a drop is inevitable, however brief they are. It could present as a shock state, if it's a brief and sudden threat similar to the one in the post- you know how babies and young kids, when they hurt themselves, sometimes go quiet in shock for a second before the ear-piercing screaming starts when they "process" the pain and their brain registers it as, "oh, I'm still alive"? Something like that. A moment of silent shock/distress where the brain takes a second to process it before deciding that the threat is bad, still there, and unlikely to go away, and that's when the drop happens, and the Omega goes into that self-imposed comatose state and shuts down- how fast depends on the situation, the person, and obviously, author's preference.

I also think that the type of stress/threat that builds up or just isn't extremely sudden, would result to the drop also sort of "building up" before happening, with similar shutting down and numbing of senses as I experience personally. I think it could also be a combination, for example, an unpredictable and likely ill-intentioned person the Omega feels is a threat to them has been causing experience pre-drop symptoms from the stress, and suddenly that person does something sudden, that normally would maybe startle someone at best, for example, slam a door or shout- and that triggers the shock-then-drop.

I think what would help an Omega to get out of a state like this would be getting them to a quiet and safe space, and lots of calming pheromones/scents. Maybe calm and comforting talking (about any topic, doesn't have to be reassurances only, just a familiar voice and a comforting & calming tone) from someone the Omega considers "safe", because the brain will process the tone and emotion and recognize a familiar person as safe before it'll ever understand what is being said. I also think adjusting light levels to a soft lighting (not dark, nor bright lights- a pleasant dim and warm-toned light would probably be best) could be good. In general a lot of the things you utilize as a way to calm someone who is overstimulated or overwhelmed could be adapted- weighted blankets for example serve the purpose of DPT (deep pressure therapy), and the same could be achieved by just holding the omega tightly, cuddling, or even just leaning on them (although this does require a safe person the omega fully trusts).

Medical aid or monitoring could also be required sometimes to help, and there could be a few abnormal cases where an omega drops so hard they practically end up comatose for a genuinely long period of time, sleeping beauty style. I think it would be commonly recommended by professionals that any Omega experiencing a drop sees a doctor, whether it be after they come out of it, or taken in while still unconscious in which case, if any Alphas were present and triggered to guard, they should be allowed to come along because otherwise it'll cause more distress to both- (Omega brain registers a guarding Alpha's scent as protective nearby even when unconscious so it would also distress the omega if suddenly that scent went away.) This could include extreme measures such as allowing an alpha into the operating room (of course in sterile scrubs etc) if the Omega was indeed physically injured and requires emergency surgery, for example. In fact, it'd probably cause an already injured Omega's vitals to tank if the only source of "protection" their brain perceives suddenly disappeared. It's not always possible, of course, so the Omegas can be fooled with chemicals that simulate the pheromones/scent of a guarding Alpha to keep them stable.

Also, not all Omegas HAVE an Alpha around when they drop, and it doesn't make the Omega's condition any MORE critical than if an Alpha had been present. I like to think of it as a sort of an emergency bond of sorts, one that forms only really with Alphas the Omega already knows and is comfortable enough around.

Alpha Guard could also be triggered later- say an Omega drops while around other omegas and betas only, and a familiar Alpha arrives a lot later when they're already starting to get the Omega to wake up and making them feel safe- just seeing the fact that the Omega they instinctually feel inclined to protect was threatened could trigger a guard response, though probably a bit milder in the sense that if familiar people are around and clearly already taking care of and helping the Omega, the Alpha would probably still become volatile, snappy and suspicious of anyone who approaches, but would probably generally be more okay with anyone who was already clearly helping.

Anyway I'm not entirely qualified to speak on the Alpha side of things to begin with, besides from an Omega's perspective and my own canons, but I'd love to hear the misce alphas weigh in as well.

Also sorry for being so long-winded and scattered. I'm a rambler when I start talking :'/

Hiya, just wondering, what is an omega drop and what causes it? It'd really help me out :)

Okay so. I first read about this in a fic on ao3 called Panta Rhei by @kashoku-sinpai. It’s a Yuuri On Ice fic and it’s written beautifully. I fucking love it. Like even if you aren’t a fan it’s amazing, you should give it a read.

This is what Kashoku mentions in chapter thirteen where they explain the omega drops.:

“From a writer’s perspective I totally forgot that you guys might not be exposed to the Drop/Guard aspects of ABO so here’s a little quick explanation. Omega drops have shown up in a few fics but I think it’s still pretty new!! It’s a self-induced coma-like state that an omega puts themselves in when extremely scared or hurt. It can be life threatening if left alone for too long and usually only a mate or someone very close to the omega can pull them out. Guarding is something I completely made up, but is an alpha trait of extreme protectiveness where they can become very volatile and must be approached with EXTREME caution.”

I love this explanation that they used and the whole Drop/Guard thing that they have created. I have read fic previously about the whole Drop/Guard thing, but it wasn’t explored as best as Kashoku had written it. 

To put it in terms that I know people will get better understand, it’s a form of becoming feral. Though it is still completely different from becoming feral. Where as an Omega would become more animalistic in terms of anger, attack, or even love when they have become feral, this kinda gives us a new state to work with.

The Omega’s body basically shuts down because they are scared or hurt. I’m assuming the reason for this is for an Omega to prevent further harm to themselves. Their body plays dead, is the best way I can describe it. This is done in extreme situations. I look at it as a way to distract or deter enemies and predators into further attacks. So the Omega’s body shuts down things that aren’t important to them, making their body less appeasing to what wants to hurt them. Things like making them have shallow breaths, scent less strong or appeasing, and maybe even nearly shuts down important organs. Just things to make sure they aren’t harmed further.

In the story Yuuri (Omega) gets hurt when he is pushed hard to the ground, he is also pregnant at the time so it makes him more scared and there he drops. Kashoku essentially describes him as catatonic. Though his mate Viktor (Alpha) and another Omega are able to help him get out of this state. Just to add, dropping is bad for pregnant Omegas. 

Guarding for an Alpha is them becoming feral in response to their Omega drops in order to protect them from the thing that is attacking them or scaring them. 

I hope this answers your question! Thank you @kashoku-sinpai for allowing me to mention their fic and explanation. 💕