u/Tin97

I have a really intense fear of sudden, unexpected pain. What scares me the most is the idea that something could happen completely out of nowhere and I'd suddenly be seriously hurt.

One thing that especially triggers this fear is the back of my head. I know it's a very vulnerable part of the body, and for some reason I have a panic-level fear that something could happen to it.

When I was a kid, I hit the back of my head once. Nothing serious came from it, but ever since then, I occasionally find myself imagining different scenarios where something happens to that exact area. Like... Even getting SHOT 😭 Those thoughts can make me really anxious, even when there's no real danger.

Also, this is disturbing:

Sometimes, if I see a newborn with such a fragile little head, my brain suddenly imagines them falling and hitting the back of their head on the edge of something, and getting seriously hurt.

I hate these thoughts. They aren't something I want to think about at all - they're horrifying and they make me feel sick. I would never want anything bad to happen to a child.

It's like my brain automatically comes up with the worst possible scenario, and it makes my anxiety even worse. I don't know if anyone else experiences intrusive thoughts like this.

I've also been trying to practice mindfulness, but when the anxiety gets strong, it's difficult to stay grounded and let the thoughts pass.

Can anyone else relate to this? If you've experienced something similar, what has helped you cope with it?

I know it's incredibly rare. I also know that if it actually happened, I probably wouldn't even have time to feel anything.

But every single time dark storm clouds roll in, I hear thunder, or I see lightning, I start panicking. It's like my brain immediately goes into survival mode.

I can't stop imagining that the next lightning strike is going to hit me - or hit somewhere right next to me. The images in my head feel so vivid that I almost start believing they're about to happen.

It's an awful feeling, and I was wondering if anyone else experiences this, or if it's just me.

Do you have any tips for not thinking about it? How do you just stop caring and stay calm instead?

I know it's incredibly rare. I also know that if it actually happened, I probably wouldn't even have time to feel anything.

But every single time dark storm clouds roll in, I hear thunder, or I see lightning, I start panicking. It's like my brain immediately goes into survival mode.

I can't stop imagining that the next lightning strike is going to hit me - or hit somewhere right next to me. The images in my head feel so vivid that I almost start believing they're about to happen.

It's an awful feeling, and I was wondering if anyone else experiences this, or if it's just me.

Do you have any tips for not thinking about it? How do you just stop caring and stay calm instead?

Sometimes I'm actually afraid to even think something mean or judgmental about another person because I worry about "instant karma." It's gotten to the point where, if I criticize someone in my head, I become anxious that something bad will immediately happen to me as some kind of punishment. I know it probably isn't rational, but the fear feels very real.

I'm not sure if this is just generalized anxiety, OCD, or something else.

Sometimes I'm actually afraid to even think something mean or judgmental about another person because I worry about "instant karma." It's gotten to the point where, if I criticize someone in my head, I become anxious that something bad will immediately happen to me as some kind of punishment. I know it probably isn't rational, but the fear feels very real.

I'm not sure if this is just generalized anxiety, OCD, or something else.

Like being terrified that, out of nowhere, something will happen to you and you'll suddenly be in severe pain or suffering. Like... getting shot. It's the unpredictability that scares me the most. I’ve been trying to practice mindfulness and let these thoughts pass without giving them too much attention, but because the fear feels so intense, it doesn't always work. Sometimes I get so anxious that it's hard to stay present. What helps you guys? Any tips?

Whenever a stranger looks directly into my eyes - especially on public transpor - I often get the feeling that they're trying to create some kind of "moment" between us.

My brain starts imagining that we're either going to smile at each other, end up in some weird eye-contact contest to see who looks away first, or that something awkward is about to happen.

Because of that, I get anxious that I'll accidentally smile or react in a way I can't control, and it'll turn into a really cringe, uncomfortable moment.

I'm curious if anyone else experiences this, or if it's just my anxiety making me interpret eye contact this way.

Sometimes I'm actually afraid to even think something mean or judgmental about another person because I worry about "instant karma." It's gotten to the point where, if I criticize someone in my head, I become anxious that something bad will immediately happen to me as some kind of punishment. I know it probably isn't rational, but the fear feels very real.

I'm not sure if this is just generalized anxiety, OCD, or something else.

Also, does anyone else have a strong fear of sudden, unexpected pain? Like being terrified that, out of nowhere, something will happen to you and you'll suddenly be in severe pain or suffering. It's the unpredictability that scares me the most.

Can anyone relate to either of these fears? If you've experienced them, what helped you?

What frustrates me the most is that they often ruin the best moments of my life. Moments when I should be happy, relaxed, and enjoying myself.

Instead, my brain always seems to find something new to worry about.

The weird thing is that it's usually the same potential scenario over and over again. The details change, the "evidence" changes, the reason for worrying changes, but it all comes back to the same fear.

I'm honestly so frustrated. Why do I do this to myself? Why does my mind constantly create new reasons to be afraid? Why does my brain work like this?

I'm so tired of it.

It feels like I'm always looking for signs that something bad is about to happen. And even when there aren't any signs, my mind will invent something anyway. A random coincidence, a look from someone, something I read online, a strange feeling - somehow it all gets connected back to the same fear.

It's like I can't just enjoy a good moment without my brain trying to convince me that danger is right around the corner.

Does anyone else experience this? How do you stop constantly searching for threats and just let yourself live?

I saw a video on TikTok (or maybe it was an article) talking about how some psychiatrists are supposedly starting to consider the possibility that certain mental illnesses could be related to perceiving or living in some kind of parallel reality.

I honestly don't know if I'm explaining it correctly or if that's even what it actually said, but the idea was that maybe what some people see, think, hear, or feel isn't always just a delusion, schizophrenia, or something their brain is making up.

Ever since I saw it, I can't stop thinking about it.

And now it's giving me a whole new fear, because it makes me wonder: what if I'm not actually making things up after all? 😭

Has anyone else seen this video or heard about this theory? Is there any real scientific basis behind it, or is it just internet sensationalism?

I saw a video on TikTok (or maybe it was an article) talking about how some psychiatrists are supposedly starting to consider the possibility that certain mental illnesses could be related to perceiving or living in some kind of parallel reality.

I honestly don't know if I'm explaining it correctly or if that's even what it actually said, but the idea was that maybe what some people see, think, hear, or feel isn't always just a delusion, schizophrenia, or something their brain is making up.

Ever since I saw it, I can't stop thinking about it.

And now it's giving me a whole new fear, because it makes me wonder: what if I'm not actually making things up after all? 😭

Has anyone else seen this video or heard about this theory? Is there any real scientific basis behind it, or is it just internet sensationalism?

I saw a video on TikTok (or maybe it was an article) talking about how some psychiatrists are supposedly starting to consider the possibility that certain mental illnesses could be related to perceiving or living in some kind of parallel reality.

I honestly don't know if I'm explaining it correctly or if that's even what it actually said, but the idea was that maybe what some people see, think, hear, or feel isn't always just a delusion, schizophrenia, or something their brain is making up.

Ever since I saw it, I can't stop thinking about it.

And now it's giving me a whole new fear, because it makes me wonder: what if I'm not actually making things up after all? 😭

Has anyone else seen this video or heard about this theory? Is there any real scientific basis behind it, or is it just internet sensationalism?

Whenever I'm talking to someone, I often get the feeling that they're laughing at something I just said, even when I didn't say anything stupid, weird, or intentionally funny.

It's honestly starting to drive me crazy. Sometimes I notice this slight smirk on their face combined with a certain look in their eyes right after I say something, and I have no idea what it's supposed to mean. That's usually the moment my brain immediately jumps to the conclusion that they're making fun of me.

Am I overthinking this? Do I make weird facial expressions while talking without realizing it? Or is this just a normal way people react, and it doesn't automatically mean they're being sarcastic or mocking me?

At this point, I genuinely don't know anymore.

Does anyone else experience this?

This is a bit awkward to explain, but does anyone else get this?

I often have this annoying feeling in the area right behind/below my testicles, like something is rubbing, poking, or just "there" and making me uncomfortable.

What's weird is that it doesn't seem to depend on the type of underwear I'm wearing.

On top of that, I fairly often get what looks like a small pimple or bump in that area. Even when there's nothing visible, I can still have that strange sensation that something is off.

It's not really severe pain, more like a persistent discomfort that keeps making me aware of that area.

Has anyone else experienced something similar? If so, what was causing it, and what has been the most effective thing you've done to get rid of it or reduce the discomfort?

I'm curious to know if anyone has found something that actually helps.

Sometimes when I'm outside and notice people looking at me, I can't tell what's really bothering me. Is it the fact that strangers are staring, or is it that deep down I become overly aware of myself and start disliking how I look in that moment - my posture, the way I walk, my facial expression, everything.

It's a weird feeling because I genuinely can't tell where the discomfort is coming from.

Does anyone else experience this?

And I always end up thinking, "What is wrong with people that they're giving me this much attention?" And no, I'm not imagining that people are looking at me. I often make eye contact with them and I'm certain they're staring and sometimes even smirking to themselves. That's what makes it so frustrating.

I don't mean motion sickness, because I don't have that.

For some reason, things like the subway/metro make me feel awful. The constant cycle of moving, stopping, moving again, stopping again... there's something about that interrupted movement that makes me feel like I'm about to collapse on the spot.

The same thing happens on buses. Stopping at every station, the repetitive voice announcements, hearing the same sounds over and over again... after a while, I start feeling overwhelmed and physically uncomfortable.

It's hard to explain. It's not nausea exactly, and it's not dizziness either. It's more like my body and brain get overloaded by the constant stop-and-go pattern and repetitive stimuli.

Does anyone else experience this, or am I just weird? 😂

Without going into too much detail, my anxiety is generally related to being outside and being out in the world. That's what I'm currently trying to work on through exposure.

The hardest part for me is that strange feeling of wanting to stop caring, wanting to just let go and move on with life... while at the same time feeling like you've already started accepting the worst possible outcome. Like you're just sitting there, waiting for disaster to happen.

It's such a sad feeling. A mix of hopelessness, emptiness, and emotional exhaustion. Sometimes it feels like tears could come at any moment, even if nothing has actually happened.

I'm trying to do exposure therapy on my own, without a psychiatrist, medication, or professional help. Not because I think that's the best way, but because I simply can't afford it right now.

I was wondering if anyone else has gone through this. Does that feeling of "accepting the worst" during exposures ever get easier?

To give some context: we're usually both doing our own thing anyway. He's on his phone or laptop, I'm watching my own videos or browsing stuff. We often send each other memes and occasionally chat, but we're not actively spending time together in those moments.

Even when we're sitting in the same room, the conversations can feel a bit odd sometimes because we're both focused on our screens. We'll ask each other random questions or make small comments, but it's pretty obvious that we're each in our own little world most of the time.

Sometimes I prefer to go to another room, close the door, have a beer, enjoy some peace and quiet, and just relax by myself. It's not that I'm trying to avoid him specifically - I just like having my own space sometimes.

My boyfriend once told me that I isolate myself too much and that closing the door feels strange to him. From my perspective, it seems more natural than sitting right next to each other wearing headphones while we're both consuming completely different content anyway.

Am I being inconsiderate, or is this a pretty normal way to recharge?

Does anyone else feel uncomfortable when their balcony or terrace door is open because it feels like everyone outside can hear your conversations?

I live in an apartment and whenever the balcony door is open, I become super aware of how much sound might be carrying outside. It gets even worse when I've had a few drinks and I'm talking with my boyfriend. He naturally has a very loud, booming voice, so sometimes I start wondering if half the neighborhood can hear what we're talking about.

I know most people probably don't care and aren't paying attention, but I still feel weirdly exposed, like private conversations suddenly aren't that private anymore.

Anyone else have this feeling, or is it just me?

I'm curious how other people with AuDHD (autism + ADHD) handle this.

Do you force yourselves to clean for the sake of your partner? Do you manage to stay on top of chores consistently? What do you do when executive dysfunction hits and even simple tasks feel impossible to start?

My boyfriend doesn't have AuDHD and is extremely neat and organized. He's very particular about cleanliness and likes things to be kept in order. I'm pretty much the opposite. I can fully intend to do something, know it needs to be done, and still struggle to get started or follow through.

I often feel torn because I know clutter and unfinished chores bother him much more than they bother me. At the same time, I'm not avoiding things on purpose. Executive dysfunction, task paralysis, and getting overwhelmed can make even small tasks feel much harder than they should.

Is anyone else in a relationship where one partner has AuDHD and the other is very tidy or even somewhat perfectionistic? How do you balance both people's needs and keep resentment from building up?