What’s the most unusual thing that has caused you distress?

[otomedissection]

Outside of traumatic experiences, health, finances, etc., what is the most unusual thing that has contributed to you feeling distressed? I guess to give an example of what I mean, I'll share my own answer.

For me it was reading stories on r/AmITheAsshole. It probably sounds silly, but I noticed that over time, these stories made me more paranoid of the world around me. Reading constant posts every day about someone interacting with cartoonishly evil people or being cartoonishly evil themselves. And while I know that there are many genuinely horrible people out there who do things like these stories discuss, my view of how many good vs. bad people there are in the world was warped. It made me feel like it's commonplace for the people closest to you to always be out to get you. And I'm kind of embarrassed to admit how long it took me to consider that most of these stories were either made up or AI-generated. It made it easy to forget that there are truly good people out there who are on my side.

 

[Redacted24]

It sounds silly and petty but...

A few years back I sent a dear friend a photo of the salmon salad I made for dinner (it looked amazing)
And I suggested that maybe one day I could make that meal for us if she visited.

She replied simply, "I don't eat salmon"

It ... hurt ... that she only said that. I was just trying to offer to make us a meal to share together. Didn't have to be that, exactly, of course. I can make other things too.

But the blunt dismissal of my offer, really stuck with me. And I keep coming back to it in my mind because it's kinda changed my thoughts of her, it's likely changed our relationship some as well in my subconscious.

Silly of me, right?

 

[bloodybushman]

OCD means I could write an entire book filled with all the stupid things that made me freak out, so I'll just choose one of my most recent and drastic ones, then a funnier one.

(For context, I still live with my parents, they let my sister and I stay as long as we need.)

I developed this irrational fear that my dad was going to snap and kill me. No, my dad has never laid a hand on me, or threatened to lay a hand on me. I've never seen him lay a hand on or threaten anyone else either. He doesn't drink, abuse drugs (anymore), or yell very often. I just suddenly gained this fear that he was going to suddenly come down with his gun and off me in my sleep.

The climax of this fear came when my dad and I got into an argument while I was still half-asleep, and he said something along the lines of, "We're done," and stormed away. My half-asleep, panicking brain took this to mean, "I'm fed up with you, and I'm so mad I'm going to kill you." So, still in the clothes I wore to sleep, I tossed some socks and a pair of crocs on, grabbed my keys and ID, went out through a back door, jumped our fence into the neighbor's yard, jumped their other fence onto the road, texted my girlfriend what happened, then called 911 and admitted myself to the psych ward.

In the moment, that all felt like a reasonable reaction to me. The next day as I was eating the slop the ward provided for lunch, I realized that was incredibly stupid and likely made me look quite childish. I'm still a bit embarrassed about it.

As for a funnier story, I once developed a severe fear of choking during a bad episode of health anxiety, and that led to a very intense fear of... glazed donuts. It was specifically like, one certain brand, too. I can eat donuts fine now, though I still prefer them powdered and jelly-filled :)

 

[boddibo]

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[FoxSauce]

It can be all sorts of things dumb ones for example:

A coworker basically manipulated me and felt like crap, sh and just dealt with paranoia. More having thought of he could follow me home and berate me .And I found after out it was a lie. Just let me super hurt.

Then again it was dumb of me

Or someone being dry or not receiving forgives or even stuck in my own head sometimes.

 

[seeyoulater26]

My coworkers. lol love the job, love the company, but got a love-hate relationship with the colleagues.
They're kinda nice??? But they could be the most gossipy-nosey-ass, disrespectful, "if performative LinkedIn posts came to life" people in the world.
I trusted some of them at first til something very personal happened to me and found out that my boss knew intimate details without me even telling them. Turns out, my "best friend" was one of the culprits.
It's so draining being around people like that. I try to avoid conversations as much as possible.
Just playing along til I can save up and be ready to leave for a remote job.

 

[Spite]

There are specific songs, shows, and other media that causes me distress for reasons I'm not even exactly sure of myself. I know it's going to sound extremely, laughably stupid but one example I can think of is South Park. I've never really watched it, it's not my thing. However, one unifying trait shared amongst all of the people who have hurt me the most in my life is that I've noticed almost all of the worst people I've met in my life were fans of South Park. I'm sure it's just a coincidence, but it's still weird. Whenever I see anything to do with South Park whether it's just a character, a short clip from the show, or something like that, I am instantly reminded of all those people who have hurt me throughout my life.

 

[SASU-KE]

Silly of me, right?

No.

Spoiler

I'm kidding bro, but absolutely not. That's not the way to respond to someone being that thoughtful. You're not being silly or overreacting at all.

 

[Mrs. T-800]

One of my phobias is being near high ceilings. It's very odd and strange. I can't explain it. But one I am near a high ceiling, I just start to freak out and crouch down, have a whole anxiety. It puts my distress through the roof.

 

[bl33ding_heart]

I don't know if this is that unusual. But I have an extreme phobia of moths. During the summer moths usually make their way into my house, and sometimes into my bedroom and it's so difficult to get them out. I wouldn't sleep all night and would have mental breakdowns over it. And my mom would be mad at me and tell me to grow up.

 

[Knives_14]

>I was probably around 4yo, centimeters away from the screen of the Tv.
>Spiders documentary
>HUGE closeup of a spider's face, with its eyes in grand display
>freak out
>now even the tiniest spider will scare the living shit out of me ^^

 

[StupiderJuniper]

for some reason certain tastes that i recognize from my childhood can cause me pretty bad distress (i kinda associate them with some bad events ig), like i would genuinely freak out over em and be unable to eat or calm down for a bit. they are pretty specific, stuff like certain fermented yogurt products and certain chicken dishes. im a very picky eater, but this was smthn else entirely. sometimes i recognize the taste in entirely different foods which really sucks lmao. i kinda overcame some of it tho thankfully lol.

 

[LilGhost]

Outside of traumatic experiences, health, finances, etc., what is the most unusual thing that has contributed to you feeling distressed? I guess to give an example of what I mean, I'll share my own answer.

For me it was reading stories on r/AmITheAsshole. It probably sounds silly, but I noticed that over time, these stories made me more paranoid of the world around me. Reading constant posts every day about someone interacting with cartoonishly evil people or being cartoonishly evil themselves. And while I know that there are many genuinely horrible people out there who do things like these stories discuss, my view of how many good vs. bad people there are in the world was warped. It made me feel like it's commonplace for the people closest to you to always be out to get you. And I'm kind of embarrassed to admit how long it took me to consider that most of these stories were either made up or AI-generated. It made it easy to forget that there are truly good people out there who are on my side.

Harder to say what doesnt.... Some examples:
I still cant sleep like a normal person. It is better now, but when I was a kid, I was actually terrified of falling asleep and waking up. Like often (especially if i slept past 8am) when I opened my eyes, my pulse would spike, Id immediately check my phone (scared I missed a message from my parents saying to get downstairs, what time is it or if my sib warned me that parents in the bad mood). And most mornings were fine, I was just terrified of the thought of being asleep and waking up

With more recent: stupid shit like a person standing in front of my chair blocking the view (pick up table), idk. I know its not their fault and very stupid of me, I was just holding myself together not to cry, as I needed to see from where food was coming out and overall the place wasnt big so i felt suffocating (no i couldnt move away, as my legs were in pain and that was the only good chair from which you could see the counter)
Smth thats kinda out of nowhere: If someone touches me, my food, hug my plushie, it actually can put me into a whole meltdown. Same with slight changes in my routine, tho I found how to manage that more safely, people touching my shit is still smth i just cant handle.

Smth that perhaps most unusual that first comes to mind: Buses. I have to take them and I like the idea of public transport its just... They are constantly either late or early, some bus stops have no benches, you need to time in stops and not zone out, there is usually no good view (because ads are covering the windows). I also hate how you just wait during red light, people are loud there, sometimes you need to sit besides people.... Its just hard. I am to broke to have a car, so its not like i look down on a public transport. I know its the best as it can be, its just causing me stress but i am the one who is responsible to deal with it. Also, cracks on the ground remind me of my sh scars as well as any videos where smth is being cut. Pencil sound on paper is smth that freaks me out too

Its just small examples as I am distressed almost all the time or getting overstimulated lol

 

[accountnamerequired]

I always have this anxiety after getting groceries they're gonna expire before I eat them so items like that are always eaten first before anything that will last longer

 

[byec560]

I don't know if this is that unusual. But I have an extreme phobia of moths. During the summer moths usually make their way into my house, and sometimes into my bedroom and it's so difficult to get them out. I wouldn't sleep all night and would have mental breakdowns over it. And my mom would be mad at me and tell me to grow up.

I'm not scared of most bugs, but they are objectively quite creepy. Moths are honestly a bit freaky if you look at them for too long so I don't blame you for being upset. I have a mild fear of cockroaches and am moving to a country that might have roaches. Not sure how I'm gonna deal with that one tbqh.

 

[hoppybunny]

Outside of traumatic experiences, health, finances, etc., what is the most unusual thing that has contributed to you feeling distressed? I guess to give an example of what I mean, I'll share my own answer.

For me it was reading stories on r/AmITheAsshole. It probably sounds silly, but I noticed that over time, these stories made me more paranoid of the world around me. Reading constant posts every day about someone interacting with cartoonishly evil people or being cartoonishly evil themselves. And while I know that there are many genuinely horrible people out there who do things like these stories discuss, my view of how many good vs. bad people there are in the world was warped. It made me feel like it's commonplace for the people closest to you to always be out to get you. And I'm kind of embarrassed to admit how long it took me to consider that most of these stories were either made up or AI-generated. It made it easy to forget that there are truly good people out there who are on my side.

I feel you omg. I literally had to delete reddit and stop using it cause that subreddit was poisoning my brain. I would get so angry for no reason over people I didn't know and most likely fake stories.


Also to answer your question. For me it's when people disagree or argue with me online. I have a very much, If you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all aproach to life and I'm a very sensitive person, so any form of hostility towards me makes me so upset. Like I just get so upset more than a normal person should over a rude comment or someone arguing with me. Especially when it's a simple difference of opinion. IDK why I'm like this.

Another thing, while it's in the real of finances, I think this still counts specifically cause it's a luxury item instead of a necessity, but I get so upset that I can't afford fancy gaming handhelds and PC components. Like it's literally the only thing I get FOMO about. I never get influenced by online hype except for gaming tech. It's really silly how much I feel like crying when I think about how I might not be able to get a 3DS before they all become overpriced or no one sells them anymore.

Lastly, I realized my anxiety border on like paranoia, so I constantly feel like someone is watching me. But I know that no one's there. So I can't leave my blinds open in my room because i'm convinced that someone will be looking through them to watch me. I nap in my car at work and I'm convinced that a man will be staring at me through the window once I open my eyes. So I have to take time to prepare myself before I open my eyes. This fear started when I moved into my dorms at my Uni. I would always tell my roomate to never open the blinds cause someone might be there. And i constantly freaked her out with my paranoia. It got worse once I got my own room. I have issues with Hypnopompic Hallucinations, so when I'm stressed I see things while I'm waking up from sleep and saw a man staring down at me one time. It was so scary I had to call my parents to take me home form school that night. I also feel that someone is at the backseat when I drive at night. And one time when I was at a spring break trip, I was convinced the dear at the camp where gonna get on two legs and start chasing my club mates and I in the dark. It doesn't help that I love horror movies lol.

 

[DonLockwood]

The fact that everyone has a high quality camera in their pockets at all times stresses me out. I find myself not going out on my own a lot because of it. It's kind of a weird thing to be stressed about but I just don't want to be seen. Never liked getting my picture taken or just being in the general of a camera just incase it's recording or something.

 

[Celerity]

I feel like a Boomer saying this, but my classmates' fashion choices. Some of it looks so fucking out there for me that it really brings home how old I am. I am also envious of how they have their life on track at such a young age. Meanwhile, I'm here in my 30s riding the struggle bus. I can't imagine having my shit together that well at their age.

 

[Spite]

The fact that everyone has a high quality camera in their pockets at all times stresses me out. I find myself not going out on my own a lot because of it. It's kind of a weird thing to be stressed about but I just don't want to be seen. Never liked getting my picture taken or just being in the general of a camera just incase it's recording or something.

I think that's a reasonable thing to feel distressed over. I get much of the same anxieties and it's largely why I avoid going out anywhere whenever I can. I'm always afraid I'm going to do something embarrasing like slip or fall and someone will have their camera out ready to record it. I even fear someone taking a photo/video of me just because of how I look. Even just the thought of anything happening and me being in the background of any kind of recording doesn't sit right with me. I too, just don't want to be seen.

 

[DonLockwood]

I think that's a reasonable thing to feel distressed over. I get much of the same anxieties and it's largely why I avoid going out anywhere whenever I can. I'm always afraid I'm going to do something embarrasing like slip or fall and someone will have their camera out ready to record it. I even fear someone taking a photo/video of me just because of how I look. Even just the thought of anything happening and me being in the background of any kind of recording doesn't sit right with me. I too, just don't want to be seen.

Dashcams as well are another thing that stresses me out. Where I'm from, basically everyone's got a dashcam and dashcam videos are really popular. I'm not a good driver at all. I have had too many close calls. So even the faintest possibility of someone I know going up to me and saying "Oi is this your car?" scares me.

 

[antarctica]

texts or replies from anyone. there are only a handful of people i feel comfortable getting a notification from in my life. for some reason the expectation of responding and opening up a conversation can be very stressful for me.

people on here are quite kind so it hasn't been too bad so don't worry about doing this to me if you quote me and its also something im trying to get over.

 

[m3nhera]

It sounds silly and petty but...

A few years back I sent a dear friend a photo of the salmon salad I made for dinner (it looked amazing)
And I suggested that maybe one day I could make that meal for us if she visited.

She replied simply, "I don't eat salmon"

It ... hurt ... that she only said that. I was just trying to offer to make us a meal to share together. Didn't have to be that, exactly, of course. I can make other things too.

But the blunt dismissal of my offer, really stuck with me. And I keep coming back to it in my mind because it's kinda changed my thoughts of her, it's likely changed our relationship some as well in my subconscious.

Silly of me, right?

I totally understand how you feel, however as someone who HATES fish I really think she didn't mean it personally. For some of us it's just the automatic reaction to that kind of suggestion haha