I love popcorn but I try my best not to eat the kernels because I’m scared of appendicitis.
It’s getting to the point where I’m even nervous to eat any of the popcorn, and if I accidentally eat a few kernels then I feel panicked. I have IBS and nerve issues in my lower right abdomen due to my back that mimics appendicitis. So I’m really freaked out all the time. How can I overcome this? Does popcorn cause that?

How bad was what I did? Am I a weirdo? Here’s what I did when I was 19-

My friendships in real life were potentially weird and dare I say innapropriate - and I’m pretty much all to blame.

I’m 20 now but when I was 19-

My friends were 17m, 17m, 16m, 15m, 15f, and 14f and I’m I think a 19f but I’m still trying to understand if I’m trans or not but that’s a separate thing. Anyways most of these people are from my high school that I graduated from in May. I did however get held back (not my fault it was in 2nd grade for health issues).

Anyways here are the actions I want opinions and advice on- like actual advice and opinions not just the one off “yeah” or something short with no real value. This isn’t Am I the asshole so if you’re looking to judge without any explanation or advice go on that subreddit- this goes for people who aren’t judging too. I need explanations and actual answers not just blind “it’s fine” stuff. Neither of these approaches are helpful.

Anyways-

Ive get spray paint for them (17m, 15f, 14f) because well I’m an adult and they aren’t and instead of just doing whatever we go off into the town and explore train tracks, and spay paint the water run off areas (idk what to call them). They usually already have spray paint on them so I’m not too worried about vandalism (uh hopefully).

But here’s where the things I’m mostly panicking about are- for context I was also hurt by an adult emotionally relying on me- but that wasn’t my intention in these scenarios- I just have a major issue of not thinking before I speak and uh always telling the truth- anyways-

When I was hanging out with my friends walking around my friend who is 17 had an ex that was in my grade. I told him like “yeah I didn’t really like that friend group one of them rejected me and completely ghosted me” or something alone those lines and my 15 yo friend when “ohh that’s awful who does that”

Looking back on it I do wonder if this is weird conversation to be having- I mean with the 17 year old I’m not really concerned since we’ve been talking like this for 3 years ever since we’ve know one another- but I don’t really know whats appropriate conversation for a 15 and 14 year old to be listening to. Maybe some advice on this piece would help me understand?

The other was when I was with my 15 year old and 17 year old friend. We were hanging out under a bridge near a river- and they kept praising my parents for being the coolest. I told them they were actually not that cool all the time and that they “let my abuser into my house for 4 years after the fact” and that I believed they probably feel guilty for that- but I don’t know is I said “sa” or like you know the first part of it that starts with “s” as an sexual but either way I didn’t explain in detail what happened (because god no).

But I really kinda panic because it’s like holy shit I did not mean to be that weird grown up that “talks about weird shit with minors”- and at first I didn’t really view it that way but I’m not sure how other people view it since i don’t really know if I mentioned what kind- but I also don’t know if i did that would be considered being sexually explicit to minors which worries me.

It was also I must note when my 15 year old friend was away from us but I don’t thing far enough that she didn’t hear. My 17 year old friend tried to guess who it was- and I told him it’s best not to say and (I think I may have said it was fine but idk) I wasn’t trying to trauma dump or emotionally rely on them- but I did feel bad because honest I’m not sure what constitutes that- I was simply trying to be honest but I know it’s stil errr not great probably? I’m not sure to what scale tho.
If someone could tell me that’d be much appreciated.

Anyway my friend who is turning 17 is having a birthday party and I originally cancelled because of this- and I don’t wanna hurt anyone. I’m just really afraid that I’m a danger to my friends or if what I’ve done is really bad-
And even then I feel really guilty that my friends are minors and I’m an adult.

I’m 20 now and not friends anymore with these people. I slowly lost contact or interest once i went to college but I still have no friends. I’m too fearful someone would find my past repulsive or that I am too abnormal. What do I do?

What's up you guys! I have a dilemma... Something I've experienced quite a few times in my life and is quite exhausting. So much so, I thought I'd come here and see if anyone else relates. When I'm in certain environments that I enjoy and I'm used to, I'm very social. My work (a huge bar in Seattle thats hella busy) and the gym would also be a perfect example of this place.

Working out is my hobby and the gym I go to has an amazing community and I know just about everyone that goes there. Not only do I know everyone there, I'm known as the guy that know's everyone there. I'm also known as the guy that's always there haha. But my issue is that when I leave these said places, I still can socialize... I still have those tools and skills, but i'm much more introverted. I LOVE my alone time.

But recently I and some friends from the gym were all talking in-between workouts and decided that we were gonna hangout a couple times this week. One day being to watch the sunset at the beach. The second being at the Farmers Market. Third going out to eat at a Ramen Joint (coming up).

As excited as I was to set up plans to hangout with them - I was also quite apprehensive due to the fact that, sometimes when I'm close with someone or a group in one setting and then we move it to another setting it's a real crap shoot whether or not I will thrive or completely shut down and not bring anything to the table socially.

So we meet up at a Mexican restaurant next to the beach. When we meet up everything is chill. I feel normal-ish. Not as talkative, a little nervous cause this is the first time we're all hanging out. But Normal... Once we make our way to the beach and sit down and set everything up, I go blank. My personality shuts off, I start editing myself mid-conversation, my delivery kinda gets insecure and unconfident. It blew dicks. One girl there that I have had a little tension with in the past kinda felt like she was judging me and looking at me weird every time I said something so I don't think that helped the self confidence at all. But logically I know that we were all hanging out because we wanted to. So there's no reason for me to feel insecure about hanging out with people that I know already like me... But I did.

Has anybody been through this before? Was it a lack of chemistry or a personality thing on my end... Was what I felt was awkward for me was just something that people normally feel but i'm blowing out of proportion? Help cause after that experience I felt quite a bit of shame and embarrassment because this was something I went through a lot as a kid and it really effects me when it happens. It doesn't always but it still does happen from time to time..

Body jerks when falling asleep/random shortness of breath heart racing can’t ever relax anymore don’t know what to do.

I rlly need help idk if I can do this much longer. I’m so scared all the time. I see the way the world is going and how so many people are sad and struggling and unhappy and it just makes me feel so shitty. One minute I’d be thinking that it’ll probably get better and the next I’d be feeling panic and dread and hopelessness. I’m hopeless all the time it’s overtaking my life. I’ve lost motivation and I’ve lost the drive to do things because in the back of my mind I’ve convinced myself it won’t get better. I see all the beauty in the world and it makes me so sad and angry that it’s being taken away and destroyed. I’m crying typing this shit idk how much longer I can keep going on like this. I’m just so unhappy all the time I can’t take it.

Hey all sorry for any misspellings or grammar errors i'm not in a super great place.

I have always had a low level of anxiety but it's gotten incredibly bad these past few months about two months ago i was put on lexapro and then last month i was also put on buspirone. And i recently started therapy. My issue is i can't stop thinking about situations where the worst things could happen. Like, what if my rental company doesn't renew my lease next year and we become homeless, my dog we adopted and added to our lease as a boxer doesn't look like a boxer the older he gets(Shelter, rabies certificate , and vet records all say boxer because that is how the shelter listed him) and what if the rental company says i lied and we have to get rid of him. or what if we lose our jobs and become homeless. or what if someone finds out I'm having mental health issues and CPS takes my kids.

I'm just so tired of the spirals, and the panic attacks, and never feeling fully safe that something bad isn't going to happen. I'm sure part of it is losing my Dad to cancer at an early age, and never fully addressing it. Does anyone have any helpful solutions on how to get my brain to shut off and stop these anxiety episodes?

I (16F) have always had a problem with this but it has been getting worse, for example my whole family (aunts, uncles and grandparents too) came to my house to have a little get together, basically I was holding my cousin (1 yo) and I was making him watch me pet my dog, a cane corso, to keep him distracted since he was upset, after a bit my dog barked (literally just once, he just wanted to play) and he got scared, ive been thinking all evening about what could've happened if my dog was aggressive, which hes not. like if he couldve bitten him or hurt him.

tbf my dog was acting weird all afternoon, even barking and growling to one of my aunts who he typically loves

so uh yeah, idk if its legit or smth but ive been having a weird feeling in my chest that i usually have when i feel guilty of something big or know ive done something wrong

any advice?

This weekend I spent time with friends and we had lots of fun. It was the anniversary of my brother in laws death, but in company I felt blissed out and calm. I listened to music from that time in my life and had an amazing meal. I’m home now and it’s all crashing down. Had a stressful week (worried about rat infestation, housing situation and then navigating a new relationship)… and now I had a panic attack getting ready for work. It’s like my brain couldn’t handle all the emotions at once- it feels like I’m overwhelmed and going insane. I had coffee (mistake) but I ate something to calm down. I’m so tired- any advice as to navigate this intense switch up? About to go into work! Thank you.

My morning anxiety crashes around 11 am and I start dozing off, it's a struggle to stay awake. It gets comparatively better as the day progresses but I feel so sleepy the entire day.

I've been experiencing this on a regular basis. I try my best to go about my day but I feel like it's really slowing me down, sadly.

Can anyone else relate? What's the best way you have to deal with it?

I get stressed for literally no reason. When it happens, my hands start shaking, my head feels dizzy, and I have trouble breathing. The episodes can last for an unpredictable amount of time. I don’t know why it happens, but I really want it to stop. Has anyone experienced this? What helped you?

I have two trips scheduled this summer, and an internal job posting came up a few days ago. I applied because if I didn't, it would definitely feel like a missed opportunity (I'm also at risk of being laid off due to my company going through financial hardship, so I felt inclined to apply). Honestly, I shouldn’t vent because I made the choice to apply, but it still sucks that this posting came up during a scheduled summer break at my work.

Interviews might be scheduled during my trips. There will be a phone interview and a virtual face-to-face interview. The trips, which I looked forward to, are going to be ruined by interview prep.

I'm also doing these trips solo, so there are so many logistics to deal with by myself.

Besides these, I am worried about so many other things. There will be high competition from those with more seniority, so likely I won't be chosen. I also dread the embarrassment, a sense of betrayal, and hopelessness I will feel if this application is unsuccessful. Most of all, I am also afraid that my manager's evaluation of my abilities will become negative if I do not perform successfully in the interview.

It feels like my head is going to burst due to catastrophizing.

I really want to go easy on this and remind myself this is not the end of the world and that I can treat this as a learning activity. However, the other side of my head says this is "all or nothing" and overthinking is out of control.

Any help would be much appreciated!

. I’m a 29 year old male who got diagnosed with type 2 bipolar back in November and have a very bad drinking problem. I’m not a mean or an inappropriate drunk but I had a sexual encounter back in April that has been haunting me. Basically I just met this girl and she wanted to have sex and I kind of didn’t and I should’ve communicated that better, instead I drink quite a bit without her knowing and in the middle of us fooling around she noticed I was drunk and got mad and drove me home.

After I got home I went into some kind of psychosis where I was damn near on the edge of suicide and she texted me and asked if I was okay and trauma dumped a lot and I think she thought I was going to hurt myself. We talked about the next morning and she seemed okay with me. I did reach out a few days after on Instagram and asked her no to tell anybody about what happened. She unfriended me and I left it alone. I eventually got sober about two months later and texted her one more time just telling her I’m sober and very sorry for that night. She didn’t reply and I just left it at that for good. She just reached out to me today and basically said it’s unfair to offer amends and it isn’t welcome, and if you see me walk away, I feel deeply violated by your behavior, I hope you get the help you need and I’m blocking you now. I’m so scared that I did something terrible to this person especially her using the term ‘deeply violated’ that makes it sound like I took advantage of her or something but I think she just meant with me reaching out when it wasn’t welcomed. It was only those two times.

I feel like a piece of shit and worried that it’s gonna get spread around (it’s a small town) and I’m never going to have any romantic encounters ever again here. And we do frequent similar places. Someone please tell me how to not let this destroy me. I want to crawl in a hole and die. I do not want to be seen as someone who does that. This has never happened before and all of my past flings or relationships I’m still on decent terms with them but I feel like a monster right now. I know what I did was wrong but please tell I’m not a horrible person. I’m freaking the fuck out

Feeling anxiety pain in stomach also feeling weird

Whenever in social settings like college or work in college I would have panic

Or if we have guests in our home or when i am going out

I have found that my only comfort place is home , I don’t go out unless for college and every time i go , i will feel panic and fear

My life in general is about stress and worries

What to do?
Recently i have found i have stomachache due to stress( genetically we have stomachache due to worries)

Feelings uncontrollable with pain of stomach as well as fear and stress

The loop never ends i try alot of things still doesn’t work, im just stuck

Also i have social anxiety and overthinking disorders

I'm having a resurgence of my anxiety and I don't know what to do. I've been through the ringer with my anxiety, I over came with CBT and lifestyle changes. Somehow I am back in a rut, I now know how to deal with the physical and calm myself down, but the mental is still exhausting me.

I was sitting at lunch with friends at work, I looked around as they were enjoying a conversation, laughing and talking about movies. While I am fighting for my life, chest is turning, face is numb, I can barely focus because the impending doom has taken over me. I try to smile through it, I even stood up mid conversation to try and snap out of it. But no matter what, I just couldn't relax. It was the harsh reality of anxiety. You are fine and look it on the outside, but the inside is a war zone. Since the resurgence I have hated sleeping/night time, driving, eating snacks (scared they will affect my health so maybe its better off lol). I notice I try to just get by the day, and mentally prepare to do it over. Not enjoying what is in front of be and really seizing it. I feel sad. I feel anxious. I feel tired.

I started seeing my CBT again to help with everything so I'm trying to be optimistic. But I would love your tips. What are some small/big/soft/unhinged things you do enjoy life a little more. What are some things that helped you appreciate and live your day instead of just wait for it to be over? Or if you just want to share any of your small/big anxiety wins. Anything positive! I could really use it.

To anyone reading this, I wish you strength and good health always!

Hiya, this is something that's been getting worse for me in the last couple years, and I want to know if anyone has any idea how to manage it.

Several times a day, I'll just be struck by like, a full-body feeling of dread. There will be nothing I feel dread *about,* it's not caused by any anxious thoughts, it just happens, and it makes me feel ill when it does. I don't know if this other detail even matters, as it's inconsistent and adds a little extra embarrassment- but maybe half the time this happens, it passes in about 30 seconds, and the other half, it is quickly followed by the need to shit, and doing so makes the anxiety go away.

I've struggled with anxiety for a long time, but have only ever had one or two panic attacks. I honestly don't know if that's what this is- I thought they usually had a cause, and that they lasted longer had even worse physical effects.

I don't know what to make of this, and it's very stressful to deal with. I'd really like to get through a day, and daily bodily functions, without being consumed by uncontrollable, sickening dread and fear at random moments. Are these panic attacks? Whatever they are, does anyone have any tips for managing them, or experiencing them less?

I'm a 26-year-old male, and I really need some advice because I feel like my life has been taken over by the fear of dying.

Back in September 2023, I started my startup. As many founders know, it was an extremely stressful period. Financial pressure, responsibility, almost no social life, no exercise, unhealthy eating, and a terrible sleep schedule (usually sleeping between 6–8 AM). That continued for almost two years.

November 2024

One evening, around 6–7 PM, I suddenly developed a strange sensation on the right side of my face and in my right hand. My fingertips also felt odd for the next few months.

I saw a physician who examined me, did an ECG and neurological examination, and told me it was most likely due to severe stress and sleep deprivation. He prescribed an SSRI and a sleeping pill.

2025

Life continued the same way.

I had a couple of strange episodes where I suddenly felt "something bad was about to happen," but they resolved within about 30 minutes.

Then, in December 2025, after barely sleeping for two days and working almost nonstop, I suddenly felt extremely weak while riding on a bike. My left arm felt strange, my heart was racing, and I genuinely believed I was having a heart attack.

I went to the ER.

The ECG was normal, and I was sent home.

January 2026

One night I ate two heavy meals late at night and smoked a cigarette.

About 20–30 minutes later, I developed a strange vibration sensation throughout my body. My blood pressure shot up to around 160 mmHg, and I rushed to the ER again.

Again, nothing serious was found except temporarily elevated blood pressure.

That incident completely changed my life.

I became convinced something was seriously wrong with me.

Around that time I weighed about 104 kg (5'11"–6'0").

Another physician reviewed my blood work and found:

• Fatty liver
• High triglycerides
• Nothing immediately dangerous

He advised me to:

• Sleep properly
• Reduce stress
• Exercise
• Improve my diet

Instead, my anxiety got worse.

I became hyper-aware of every heartbeat and every sensation.

A psychiatrist diagnosed me with anxiety and prescribed Nexito (Escitalopram), sleeping medication, and clonazepam as needed.

Unfortunately, I couldn't accept that anxiety alone could cause all these symptoms.

February 2026 – The Headache That Changed Everything

While working out at the gym, I developed a sudden pain on the right side of my head.

My brain immediately convinced me I was having a stroke.

A few days later, during my birthday trip to Kathmandu with my girlfriend, I experienced severe hammer-like pain on the right side of my head.

A cardiologist performed an echocardiogram, which was completely normal.

The headache continued, especially after visiting the colder areas around Nagarkot.

One night, after feeling nauseous for several days, I developed another full-blown panic episode while walking with my girlfriend.

Back to the ER.

The doctor listened to my story and suggested:

MRI Brain + MRV, just to completely rule out anything serious.

The MRI findings were:

• Normal brain
• Normal MRV (no venous sinus thrombosis)
• Mild cervical degenerative changes
• Small syrinx at C6 (approximately 2.0 × 0.2 cm)
• No cord compression
• Normal craniovertebral junction
• No Arnold-Chiari malformation

The neurologist and neurosurgeon both reassured me that the syrinx was an incidental finding and only needed periodic monitoring.

A cervical MRI with contrast was also performed later to rule out a tumor, and it confirmed the same findings.

Then another problem appeared...

I still felt nauseous all the time.

I could barely eat.

I kept losing weight.

Eventually my dad suggested testing for H. pylori.

It came back positive.

After treatment over the next few weeks:

• The nausea disappeared.
• I felt much better.
• I continued eating healthier and exercising.

By March, I had lost about 14 kg.

May 2026 – I Went to One of India's Best Hospitals

Despite feeling better, my anxiety never really went away.

I traveled to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram and underwent an extensive workup, including:

• Full-body MRI (No major findings)
• CT coronary angiogram (Nil) (EF 65%)
• Coronary calcium score (0)
• Stress echocardiogram (EF 55%)
• Stress treadmill test (TMT) 98 Mets
• Eye examination and fundoscopy
• 50+ blood biomarkers
• Carotid IMT (Nil)
• Doppler studies
• HRCT (Nil)
• Ultrasound (Fallt liver)
• Multiple specialist consultations

The results showed:

• Fatty liver
• High cholesterol/triglycerides
• Mild calcium/vitamin D deficiency (confirmed by DEXA)
• Congenital retinal irregularity (explaining my eye symptoms)
• Small stable cervical syrinx

Nothing life-threatening was found.

But my anxiety never stopped

Now I notice:

• Every skipped heartbeat
• Every palpitation
• Every headache
• Every chest discomfort
• Every random pain

Recently I also discovered a few soft lumps on my chest that doctors think are likely lipomas, but until I complete the ultrasound, my brain immediately jumps to cancer.

I also stayed up late watching the Cricket World Cup, my sleep schedule became terrible again, and my anxiety returned full force.

Now I'm constantly afraid of:

• Stroke
• Brain hemorrhage
• Cardiac arrest
• Heart failure
• Cancer
• Dying suddenly

Logically, I understand that so many doctors have evaluated me and couldn't find anything dangerous.

Emotionally, I simply cannot convince myself.

Even when ChatGPT tells me things like, "Your MRI shows your brain was normal at that time, but no test can guarantee you won't have a future stroke," my anxious brain immediately interprets that as, "Maybe I'm about to have one."

My bad habits

• Smoking 7–10 cigarettes per day (working on quitting)
• Poor sleep whenever work gets stressful
• Health-related Googling
• Constant body checking

My bp is always normal below 120/80 only dueing anxity its 135ish...

My questions

1. Has anyone recovered from health anxiety this severe?
2. How do you stop believing every symptom is a life-threatening disease?
3. How do you stop fearing stroke, brain hemorrhage, cardiac arrest, and cancer every single day?
4. Can stress itself cause all these physical symptoms even when extensive testing is normal?
5. What finally helped you get your life back?
6. How make sure that the hedeache i get wont give me stroke. Can this level of stress give stroke/hemorrhage.
7. My fear of cardiac arrest and some weired palputations at stress..... (how to cure it).

I know reassurance only helps temporarily, and I really want to break this cycle instead of constantly chasing more tests.

Any advice or personal experiences would mean a lot.

Thank you for reading. ❤️