Raymond Clark7 said:What a hypocrite. I was honestly wondering what kind of person would write something like that, acting like they’re never going to age... and then there's this lady. She won't go to the beach because "old people smell"... but the truth is she probably can't even fit on the sand anyway. 🤷🤷☕
And where exactly am I the problem here?! I can go for a swim in the ocean and still be unhappy with how I look at the same time. Besides, what does any of that have to do with my question about childhood?
Zachary Patel6 said:Maybe you're just unattractive and poorly proportioned...🤷
True, that might be the case now, but I wasn't even four years old back then, so what I'm really trying to get at is why I felt that way even as a child.
Rebecca Scott3 said:And what was going on with your stomach... was it an actual diagnosed illness, or just random pains with no clear cause? Maybe there's a connection there somewhere...
As far as I can recall, there was no specific reason. It always felt strange to me—I’d end up at the ER quite often, yet they could never actually tell me what was wrong.
William Smith5 said:Pain without a clear cause might just be a symptom... rather than the root cause itself...
if you want to dig into some reading material... or at least do a little searching on Google...
I would, really, but does anyone have a suggestion on where I should even start?
I don't think I'm quite ready to dive deep into this just yet, so a session with my therapist isn't exactly on the immediate horizon.
There are certainly certain things in my past that have shaped how I view intimacy, though most of those influences surfaced much later in life—which might explain my current perspective. Still, it feels strange to me; looking back, I can't quite wrap my head around why I felt such intense discomfort and shame at such a young age. That’s really the heart of why I decided to bring this up in the first place.
Patrick Johnson8 said:How old are you? Have you ever actually been with a guy, and if so, is this how you felt back then? Also, do you go out often, and is your style always this modest?
To address the age question: I'm 22. As for thinking about sex—frankly, I don't, nor do I particularly want to. I might have a passing curiosity here and there, but generally, the whole idea feels rather off-putting to me. Regarding my social life, I don't really go out. And when it comes to my wardrobe, the most daring thing I might do is wear a neckline that's slightly deeper than usual; skirts or sleeveless tops just aren't really my style.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve had this intense desire to stay covered up; I never wanted anyone to see me without clothes except for my immediate family. My earliest memories of this feeling stem from those frequent trips to the ER because of stomach issues. Even as a little kid—maybe four years old—I’d end up at the local hospital at least once a month because my stomach was hurting so badly. And, naturally, the doctor would ask my dad to help undress me so he could perform an exam. I felt so incredibly uncomfortable and exposed every single time. That feeling just persisted through my entire childhood and has stuck with me all the way into adulthood. By the time I hit puberty, I wouldn't even want to walk around in just a bra or without shorts in front of my mom and sister, which felt strange since neither of them seemed to struggle with anything like that.
I can certainly wrap my head around how these feelings might evolve later in life—you know, things involving body image or self-acceptance—but I truly cannot grasp why I felt this way when I was only four years old, just a tiny, fragile child. I haven't been able to find anything online that describes this specific experience, and I’m genuinely curious about what might be causing it. Perhaps someone said something to me back then that triggered this fear? I'd love to know if anyone else has gone through something similar.
Daniel Nguyen3 said:Even if an idea like that actually came to fruition, would it even make a dent in reducing pedophilia or anything of that nature?
Besides, anyone can claim they can administer some kind of psychological test, right? 🙄
True, but think about it this way: if every user had to register and use a password earned specifically by passing a verified test, it would create a digital paper trail. It would make it much easier to track down people who use the internet to post illicit or predatory content. It’s about accountability.
Honestly, the concept itself isn't half bad. If implemented correctly, it could actually provide a way to keep online predators under control. It might even offer a genuine layer of protection for kids navigating the web, keeping them out of harm's way.
That said, we run into a massive hurdle: any such test would need to establish clear criteria. How exactly do you define "proper" behavior? Who gets to decide what constitutes acceptable conduct versus something else? It’s one of those ideas that sounds brilliant on paper—theoretically perfect, really—but when you look at the practical application, it seems almost impossible to pull off.
And honestly, what else were you all doing besides talking about her?
Just try starting a conversation with her (like someone mentioned earlier). Ask her about an assignment, some notes, or something similar—just be persistent and check in a little bit every day. She’s definitely one of those people who won't just open up on her own; she needs a little nudge from the outside to get going.
@sorrela, you’re the one saying this medication is effective, yet the registration process is dragging its feet. It feels absurd that bureaucracy alone could prevent people from accessing it immediately. If it’s already cleared in the USA, the real question is how long it will take to get approved everywhere else. We aren't talking about just any nation here; we're talking about the USA. I realize they don't have all the answers—we might discover side effects or adverse reactions down the road—but dwelling on that doesn't help anyone. You could apply that same logic to almost any other drug on the market.
Roger Morgan4, you’ve gone ahead and diagnosed yourself with a cure, but have you actually sat down with a psychiatrist first? 🙄 It’s possible your doctor could write you a private prescription—I assume those who run private practices have that leeway, though I'm just speculating here, not stating it as fact. As for the logistics, if you don't have a car or a friend willing to drive you, catching a train is an easy way to get out to Chicago. You might as well turn it into a little getaway; take a stroll through the city and see the sights, it’s a lovely place to visit.
I know she usually places orders through Walgreens for those specific medications they can't stock at other pharmacies, but I'm not sure about the particular one you're hunting for. Just track down their number and give them a call first—no sense in driving all over town for nothing.
redharbor9, I just wanted to say that you’re 😍 to me.
I honestly don't see any harm—or any real benefit, for that matter—in her knowing about your orientation. When someone seeks out professional help, they are inherently focused on their own situation and their own hurdles; everything else is just peripheral noise that doesn't carry much weight. Besides, maintaining professionalism is paramount on your end, and I have every confidence that you’ve got that covered, so there really isn't an issue here.
I can't say I wouldn't give it some thought or draw my own conclusions. Honestly, I might even find myself questioning his advice from time to time. But that would likely just be at the start. Besides, that’s pretty much how I approach any information I learn about a psychiatrist; once I know something, I process it. So, I don't really see a functional difference between whether he's gay, married, or single.
I think it all comes down to perspective. What you’ve laid out there is just... life. We all hit these crossroads where we have to make a call, but while some people just pull the trigger and move on, you seem to be stuck in a loop, constantly revisiting what used to be. Honestly, I don't think it's even about the circumstances themselves; it's more about what's going on in your subconscious. By letting external factors dictate your path, you're actually just fulfilling what you truly wanted in the first place. Don't spend so much time looking in the rearview mirror trying to overanalyze everything—you'll end up manufacturing problems that aren't even there. I suspect you're already doing this, but it's never too late to shift gears. Just live. Find a new girl, find a job that actually excites you. Stop obsessing over which choice is "correct" and just do what makes you happy, even if that means letting things happen as they may. Which, again, isn't really "giving in"—it's just your subconscious making its own choice.
redranger2 said:Don't mention it. Just reach out whenever you need to, particularly if your mood starts to take a downward turn. You should head over to our Anxiety thread; we spend a fair amount of time venting to one another there. 😁 The same goes for David Bishop4.😉
And I suppose I neglected to mention that alongside medication, seeking psychotherapy—specifically cognitive-behavioral therapy—is generally a wise move.
Thanks for the invite... I've actually thought about checking out the anxiety thread before, but ended up deleting my post and backing out. 🙂 I wasn't quite sure what the vibe was there—is it strictly just talking about anxiety and that sort of thing? I'll definitely drop in when things get heavy (which, honestly, feels like a daily occurrence 🙂). Take care.
redranger2 said:Everyone reacts differently. A close friend of mine also experienced zero side effects while taking Cipralex, and he’s been on it for years. You simply cannot expect rapid results when you've only been on an antidepressant for a single month; these improvements are gradual, not sudden. In your case, there is already evidence of progress, given that the sense of emptiness has subsided and you're experiencing more enjoyment in life. Have you been diagnosed with depression? With antidepressants, symptoms can occasionally worsen before they stabilize. It is far too early to draw conclusions after only thirty days. Sometimes it takes a full two months for the drug to truly take hold. You should consult your psychiatrist, as they are best equipped to manage your treatment—they might decide to supplement the Cipralex with another antidepressant, such as Effexor. Whatever you do, do not stop on your own, as it is premature. Regarding those extreme mood shifts, is there any history of bipolar disorder in your family?
After I was discharged from the hospital, I was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder and depression. Though, personally, I'm starting to wonder if the depression is even the main issue, or if it's just part of those mood shifts that seem to come with BPD. But then again, maybe that doesn't even matter—what really gets to me is how much these mood swings are hitting me right now. I'll just wait to see what my psychiatrist says at our next appointment. This whole trial-and-error process with medication is starting to feel pretty exhausting.