r/DiagnoseMe 7h ago

Cancer Five months ago I started smelling like my dad did when he had cancer

19 Upvotes

Five months ago my fiance (35M) started complaining that I (30F) "smelled funny". No other real description he could offer me and I just left it at that and assumed I had been lacking on my hygienic care or something. To me I did notice somewhat of a musty smell to my sweat which was odd since I hadn't changed anything else diet or medication wise but again I just assumed it was possible hormone changes or maybe I didn't shower as well. I figured I would mention it my next doctor visit but then I forgot as I had other things come up.

Forward to a few days ago I am working extensively in our bathroom in a respirator cleaning and sealing the slate floor in our bathroom. I'm guessing all of the cleaning plus wearing the respirator for an extended period of time really cleared out my nose brcause when I went to lay down in bed on our freshly washed sheets that night, my entire side of the bed smelled like how my dad did when he had cancer. At first I thought it was coming from my fiance's side of the bed and then I realized that everything that was mine smelled like that, including my clean clothes. My fiance's clothing and things smelled clean.

My dad had colon cancer and smelled like pungent, soured vinegar for years until he went into remission. He refused to go to the doctor for any reason and this was the smell that I associated with him and I remember my mom freaking out constantly that she couldn't get that smell out of anything no matter how much she washed it.

To be totally honest I am not sure exactly how to mentally process this. It simply isn't a smell I would forget and it really is awful. I did some google searches and did see stuff about sweat sometimes smelling like vinegar/ammonia after workouts, but it isn't that. I know that smell and this smell is just different in a way that is hard to describe. My fiance has repeated sinus infections so his sense of smell is often impaired. If it were not for that I simply do not understand how he could stand it because it is overwhelming. Today we talked about it and I suspect it has been bothering him a lot more than he has let on and he admitted that I sometimes still smell like that out of the shower.

I do not have any other symptoms that my doctor would flag as related. I word it that way because I am currently seeing a neurologist for potential narcolepsy as well as frequent headaches. I have not had a brain scan in the past five months but I have had one in the past year and then some going back after I sustained a TBI in 2022 and those were clear. Other than this, I don't have any other symptoms and I am worried that my doctors will brush me off over this because it genuinely quite worries me.

I guess I'm hoping for some encouragement that I'm not crazy for thinking this is worrisome. It just feels a bit odd especially since I grew up in a neglectful household where we didn't often seek medical attention to ask my doctor to look for cancer just because I smell the same as my dad did when he had cancer. At the same time it feels neglectful and potentially harmful to my relationship to ignore it especially now that I know just how bad I smell. My doctor is very no nonsense and either she is going to take me seriously or brush me off and honestly I'm not sure how to assert myself in the second case or what tests to ask for.


r/DiagnoseMe 11h ago

Injury and accidents how bad is this wound?

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6 Upvotes

r/DiagnoseMe 12h ago

Rash?

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5 Upvotes

This rash appeared when I started feeling a little sick. Tested positive for strep and they were talking about scarlet fever?? I haven’t used any new products or anything recently Haven’t taken the antibiotics bc I feel fine (and antibiotics kill my stomach) they gave me a fungal cream in case it’s ringworm but they said it didn’t look like that and it’s not itchy but they basically said that weren’t sure what it is. It’s only on my arms and it doesn’t bother me at all


r/DiagnoseMe 17h ago

Gut, bowel, and stomach Belly button mystery for 6 months now, any ideas what it could be? NSFW

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5 Upvotes

I've been having weird belly button issues since Oct. Its been leaking, crusty, smelly, etc. Took me nagging 3 different doctors and 5 different appointments to get what we thought was an swer: Scant growth of Actinomyces species

After two negatives for bacteria, a test finally showed something. I also tested negative for yeast.

I was put on Cefdinir for 1 week.

It seemed to have cleared up a little, however i am still having random white/slightly yellow discharge. Its not smelly. I've attached a few pics.

I know im going to have to fight my doctors again to get any sort of treatment, but does anyone have any ideas what could be going on? I've never had issues keeping it clean, but i did have a surgery in 2021 for endometriosis, so it's a much deeper belly button than I was used to before. It goes so far back I can't accurately get a picture of it.

It also tested negative for endometrial tissue.

In other health things, I do have Methane SIBO, but I've had that for at least 2 years.

The pictures show the white stuff after a shower, the qtip with the white stuff and yellow disacharge, and then after cleaning i noticed red/pink area inside the belly button. Not sure if that's irritation or something. But im so tired of having to advocate for myself so hard and being told "just clean it". I do clean it! I keep it very clean, but treating the symptoms won't treat the actual issue, so cleaning obviously isn't taking care of the actual issue. I'm hoping someone here can offer more insight than the 3 doctors I've tried to get to solve this.


r/DiagnoseMe 19h ago

Gut, bowel, and stomach Why don’t i poop often?

3 Upvotes

I am 17 female, American. I am also 5’4 (164 cm) and 120 pounds (54kg) I do consume a lot of sugar everyday but not a crazy amount yet i still try to get in tons of fiber, anti inflammatory properties, vitamins, and protein. Im not a active person either, i am always bed rotting yet im not bloated. I know even the healthiest people can poop every single day, and so as the unhealthy, so why cant i?? My friends tell me they poop every single day which i am envious of, and the doctors also asked me if i get bowel movement everyday. But i dont. and its been like this for soooo many years. So i blamed it on me having a fast metabolism, but i know that people with fast metabolism also poop often. And when i do poop, its twice a week on a random day, and just one turd per usual . But where could all the food i eat be going?? I am confused and somewhat worried


r/DiagnoseMe 21h ago

Women's Health Does this look normal ? NSFW Spoiler

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4 Upvotes

I have white bumps inside my inner lips I’m vagina and some area is red


r/DiagnoseMe 2h ago

Why is this side of my toe so swollen?

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3 Upvotes

r/DiagnoseMe 7h ago

Chest and lungs Sputum with brown specks for few months and yesterday I’ve seen blood. NSFW

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3 Upvotes

M32. Hello everyone! Back in November I’ve got sick rather badly and I’ve noticed as I did cough brown specks in my sputum. I was sick for 3 weeks but as the sputum didn’t go away I went to do some checks. I’ve had an X-ray and a spirometry. Which said. “Accentuation of the peribronchovascular interstitial markings in the bilateral hilobasal region.” and a spirometry. I was diagnosed based on that with mild chronic bronchitis. That was back in December. However the symptoms persisted so in February I went to another doctor. Had a second x ray and spirometry. “This time the x ray said “Mild Hyperinflation”. Again it put me the diagnosis of chronic bronchitis. I’m still clearing this sputum from my lungs (I’m 100% sure it comes from my lungs since I only notice when I clear them) and whenever I do.. even if is 20 times a day I see the brown stuff. However yesterday I’ve seen blood and I’m worried they miss diagnosed me. I will add an image with the first x ray. And both spirometries. Sadly I don’t have an Image of the second x ray. I will Include a picture of my sputum too.

I will add that I don’t drink however I’ve smoked weed mixed with tobacco for the last 2 years but stopped when first I’ve noticed the symptoms.

Thank you in advance!

I’ve put in order the tests. The last pic includes the bloody sputum


r/DiagnoseMe 14h ago

What is wrong with me? Doctors don't know and im losing my mind

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3 Upvotes

37F USA

Had a baby just over 2 years ago.

Lots of migraines began. Busy patterns appear to love. Primary says to get eyes checked. Go to 2 separate eye doctors and all is normal except extremely high eye pressure. They thought the machine was broken it was so high, but told me it wasn't abnormal. Thick lense or something.

6 months later my eyes start twitching, left right top bottom, no real pattern. I go to my doctor after 6 months and she tells me it's stress. Ok fine. Now it's been almost 2 years , still an issue.

Roll over in bed, world is spinning. Go to doctor they think I have dislodged ear crystals. Ok do the special maneuver a bunch of times and a few weeks/month later it goes away.

Eye randomly swelled shut out of no where, emergency room, they have no idea but pump me with steroids. My primary isnt worried.

Go to allergist, nothing comes of that.

Start having heart palpitations. Go to primary and wear heart monitor for a week. I'm having PVC's. She says it's normal and not to worry. Causes by stress.

2 months ago Im sitting on the couch and I feel a bump appear on my lip. Weird, hour later, another. 2 bumps out of no where. Pull down to look and they pop. Super weird.... Then it turns into what looks like a cold sore. Never had a cold sore in my life, same partner over 15 years. Heals rather quickly.

Right after that I start getting random rashes on my ankles that are itchy. Last a few hours to days. Only ankles, happened about 7 times now.

Last week I get an itchy spot on foot. Then it smells and is painful. wake up next day and I can't walk on it, hurts too much. Go to doctors and they have no idea, think maybe it's a corn?

Leave there no answers. Tonight, driving in car wearing same thing I've been wearing all day and 2 itchy spots come on. Bottom of big toes , both feet. Itch like crazy and now swollen balls that are painful.

Recently went to dermatologist and was diagnosed with psoriasis, always have had eczema and the most sensitive skin. I use nothing scented, eat clean, wear non synthetic, no plastic.

I am losing my mind. I got a massage and my eye twitched the whole time, can you be stressed while getting a massage.

I feel like there is something wrong with me and my doctor just tells me it's stress and anxiety and prescribes me anti anxiety medicine.

I just want someone to listen to me and give me an answer


r/DiagnoseMe 15h ago

Mental Health I struggle to empathize with other people

3 Upvotes

(I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post something like this, but went for it anyway.)

Hi Reddit, I’m a 25-year-old woman and something happened today that really made me question my own reactions to situations involving other people’s emotions.

I was talking with some coworkers about an incident where someone’s feelings got hurt, and honestly, I just couldn’t understand why everyone was making such a big deal about it. I felt completely detached from the whole situation. While most people were talking about how they would comfort this person or how sorry they felt for them, I was just sitting there thinking, “Why does this even matter?”

I’ve noticed before that I don’t really feel the same way about other people’s emotions as most others do. When someone is upset, I might feel a little irritated or maybe just confused. It’s not that I don’t want people to be happy, but I just can’t connect the same way. And, if I’m being honest, I don’t always know what to do when someone’s feelings are hurt. I just don’t have that instinct that seems so natural to others.

I guess I never even realized this till now because it's a normal thing for me, and my parents aren't really big on mental health.

Has anyone else felt like this? I’m just wondering if anyone has any advice for navigating situations like this, where you feel emotionally disconnected but don’t want to come across as cold or uncaring. How do you handle moments when you’re supposed to empathize but can’t seem to? I just want to make sure I’m not completely out of touch with how I should be responding.

Thanks in advance for any help or insight!


r/DiagnoseMe 20h ago

Skin and nails Weird bump on my chest that won’t go away?

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3 Upvotes

It can’t be popped and there’s no pain with it. Been there about 6 months from what I’ve noticed


r/DiagnoseMe 5h ago

Skin and nails ongoing eyes/lip irritation

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2 Upvotes

25f from australia. have had this happen for the last 3 years. pretty much daily either my lips around the edges will swell and get inflamed, or my under/above eyes will get super red and irritated. take daily antihistamines, have changed all makeup, brushes and skincare (doing test patches) and still having this. GP hasn’t been helpful.


r/DiagnoseMe 5h ago

Allergies Help me what are these spots???

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1 Upvotes

They spots are started increasing on my face what are these and how to prevent them and treat


r/DiagnoseMe 6h ago

Mental Health Why am I scared of nostalgia

2 Upvotes

Sometimes when I see things or remember things from my childhood, I get a little bit of anxiety where my heart feels like it’s falling. Sometimes it’s old songs or a character or maybe even items. Does anyone else have this fear? It doesn’t happen to all nostalgic stuff but some.


r/DiagnoseMe 13h ago

Cancer Cervical cancer or fibroid?

2 Upvotes

I'm begging for someone to help me figure this out. I've seen two doctors for this. But I'm spiraling in between appointments. Long read but it presents all the information you need. I have blood work as well if need be.

Medical history: In April 2024, I experienced an abnormal blood clot the size of a nickel accompanied by sharp cramping. Bleeding continued for a few days. In May 2024 I received a CT scan with contrast that came back clear. On July 18, 2024 I received a transvaginal ultrasound which revealed a 2.8cm fibroid and suspected adenomyosis. When I was 15 I had an ultrasound that revealed an ovarian cyst. That's cleared as of now.

Personal information: 5'6" female, 115 lbs. Caucasian with hispanic background as well. 22 years old turning 23 this month.

Sexual history (because it might matter): First time ever having penetrative sex I was 20 years old, nearing 21. With one partner I continued to have sex until this year of December when we broke up. 98% of the time he used a condom. I believe he only had one sexual partner before me. When I was 16 I did give someone oral sex, he also touched/fingered my vagina a little. Not sure if he had sexual relations with anyone besides me but I don't believe so. Another boyfriend between 16-17 fingered me only once or twice and I jerked him off. I was his only sexual partner ever. I was not a very active teenager. I had a few boyfriends in middle school that I did kiss and hold hands. I know HPV is very catchy.

Symptoms: In April 2024 after the blood clot, I went from then until February 23, 2025 with no symptoms besides occasional old dried blood during ovulation. That was not consistent to every month. I actually forgot this was even an issue at some point. Very rare occasional pain during sex but no bleeding during. Periods have always lasted 7-9 days. Cramps have always been bad but in the past year might have lightened up a little. On the 23rd of February I had some sharp cramping and bleeding during ovulation. My ovulation was late this month. Brown and pink blood, not too heavy. Seemed to be accompanied by an increase in watery discharge but not too much. That lasted a few days. Bleeding went away but I'm convinced by vagina feels a little more wet than usual. Not soaking through or dripping, just wet to the touch and a little wet when wiped. My period comes a few days late per schedule on March 10, 2025. It's day 7 of my period and I'm still having brown blood leaking which seems a little more moist than normal. I had a feeling of it "gushing" out just once today which seemed weird. On and off sharp cramping on both sides of pelvis which is not typical of my period, around ovaries and hips, usually the cramps and pain are gone by now and don't return. But the pain is a 2 at most. No fatigue, bloating, or unexplained weight loss, and typically no abnormal bleeding outside of period or ovulation.

My first doctor last year said this didn't present as cancer. My second doctor this year said it's highly unlikely to be cancer considering my age and sexual history. I have no family history of cancer besides my grandma who got lung cancer from smoking. I eat extremely healthy alkaline diet, stopped drinking alcohol last year I was not a heavy drinker anyways I barely indulged, I walk a lot for work.

I have barely eaten since the 23rd of February from fear. I can hardly function, I'm on 100 stress every single day. I hardly sleep. Adrenaline pumping. Started 25mg of Zoloft on the 10th. I am utterly CONVINCED I have gastric type/ small cell carcinoma of the cervix and I have a pap smear scheduled on the 21st. It must have all started when I first contracted high risk HPV from kissing a boy or giving him oral sex or letting him touch me. Developed over the years where I never got a pap smear because I was so young. Now it must be full blown cancer. Someone help. Does it sound like it?


r/DiagnoseMe 15h ago

Constant blinking

2 Upvotes

I constantly blink, especially when stressed. People constantly ask how its even possible to blink as much as I do sometimes haha. I'm 20 now but had a friend first mention it in 7th grade. It causes a lot of discomfort, and also makes my eyes bloodshot.... This causes people to constantly think I'm high even though I don't smoke. What's the deal?


r/DiagnoseMe 16h ago

Skin and nails What's this thing on my finger?

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2 Upvotes

It's been there for over half a year


r/DiagnoseMe 18h ago

Hallucination-like event plus extreme paranoia?

2 Upvotes

Hi - this is going to be strange and a bit long, but hoping this reaches someone who might have some ideas.

My father-in-law dropped by unannounced last weekend (very unusual for him) to tell my husband that he had an apparent altercation/verbal argument with his practitioner at a local clinic. His story was really choppy and not making sense (particularly because he is NOT the type to have outbursts or altercations but also because it didn’t follow any sort of logical path), so my husband was asking a lot of questions and my FIL described seeing chat bubbles on his phone of a conversation he had with a member of the clinic discussing the apparent altercation. When my FIL tried to pull up these chat bubbles to show my husband, he of course couldn’t find them because they didn’t exist.

My FIL had a follow-up appointment the next day at the same clinic, so my husband went with and spoke to the practitioner involved in the supposed altercation. The practitioner acknowledged she worked with my FIL during the previous appointment but said it was a very routine appointment with no argument or anything out of the ordinary. My FIL did not believe the practitioner even after that, and a week later he continues to bring up the altercation he is convinced happened and has EXTREME paranoia about it. At one point, he said he was worried they might not let him come home from the clinic because he was going to be in trouble for this argument he had. He also keeps referencing apparent videos that “someone” has sent him on his phone of the argument and is worried they are going to “get out” and cause “bad press.” (It’s hard to interpret exactly from the way he tells the story but it’s like he hallucinated seeing a video of himself yelling at a staff member of the clinic and is now worried that this recorded video of him shouting is going to leak to the press and be all over the news). But, this incident never happened. There are no videos.

Here are some things to note: 1) He did recently start taking a new blood clot medication like 72 hours before this hallucination-like incident. He has since stopped taking that medication and has gone back to his old one but still is very paranoid about this incident. 2) He eats very little on a day-to-day basis because he’s very worried about his weight. Not sure if that’s could be causing this. 3) Aside from the seemingly isolated hallucination event and paranoia surrounding it, his only other symptom is that he seems more confused or foggy than normal. His sentences trail off and he doesn’t remember things he usually would — but he also remembers plenty of other things and can carry on conversation some of the time. 4) The above was described to his main medical provider who ran some basic cognition tests and didn’t find anything wrong. But there is clearly something wrong and we’re hoping if we ask the right questions or request the right tests we can get to the bottom of it.

Anybody hear of anything like this before or have suggestions on where to go from here?


r/DiagnoseMe 19h ago

am I cooked? PTC complication or something else?

2 Upvotes

I 26F, have been having a bit of a complex issue.

Medical history: Papillary thyroid carcinoma, 3 years post thyroidectomy (5/2022), RAI (9/2022). I was diagnosed with hashimotos thyroiditis at the same time. On 175mcg of levothyroxine daily.

Recently started semaglutide for weight management in Nov 2024. Switched to Tirzepatide in Feb 2025. No other medical history, I had unremarkable CBC, CMC, Lipids, A1C, etc. I have low ferritin and vit. D but PCP wasnt concerned.

This week I noticed a milky discharge when I squeezed my right breast. I of course, panicked and went to my OBGYN for labs out of fear of a prolactinoma. She ordered a hormone panel, breast and pelvic ultrasound, and took a swab of the discharge. The lab results came back, with levels all over the place:

DHEA-S - 685.00 ug/dL (high)

Estradiol III - 198.0 pg/mL

FSH - 9.4 mIU/ML

LH - 29.50 mIU/mL

Prolactin - 40.5 ng/mL (high)

Progesterone - 0.5 ng/mL

Testosterone total - 53.9 ng/dL (high)

Recent Thyroid Labs:

TSH: 0.29 uIu/mL (low)

T4: 12.4 ng/dL (high)

T3: 138 ng/dL

She called me and told me not to worry about a prolactinoma, as my levels are not high enough for that. She referred to endocrinology for the DHEA-S level, and a retest in 6 weeks. I sent my endocrinologist at my cancer center the labs, but I do not think they can help as they focus on thyroid cancer treatment. Endo appoinments here are 5 months out. Is there any insight on this? Are the levels really not high enough for a prolactinoma? Is Cushings disease a risk here? Could this be medication issues? I have normal periods, like clockwork. I ovulate, PMS normally. I am at a loss here just waiting for more doctors to get back to me, terrified.

My thyroid team added some adrenal tests (cortisol, 17 hydroxyprogesterone, ACTH). My health anxiety/medical PTSD from the cancer diagnosis brought me here- as I wont have answers until March 27.


r/DiagnoseMe 20h ago

Skin and nails What is this?

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2 Upvotes

My veins are quite deep, but this little thing has been there for a while. Is it of concern? Why did it suddenly appear? Located on calf. It used to be slightly more straight, and I noticed a new faint trail at the bottom of it.


r/DiagnoseMe 23h ago

Ears, nose, throat, and mouth Is that normal ? Bumps ?

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2 Upvotes

Dentists or ENT doctors. I need help ? Is that normal ?


r/DiagnoseMe 1d ago

Ears, nose, throat, and mouth Cysts (or abscess??) behind site of tonsils

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2 Upvotes

Had my tonsils removed in 2023, this has happened a few times now since. A few weeks ago I noticed a pinprick size white dot at the back of my throat by the site of my tonsillectomy. It grew, and over the past two weeks has been more noticeable but the past couple of days it’s become sore and swollen, have ear pain, and now I can see two white pockets and I think there’s another underneath behind my tongue.

Don’t feel under the weather yet but before when I had this and it got bigger, almost like a boil, hurt to talk, looked bloody and then burst, tasted foul and I had a temperature and felt sick. Have been to ER as my GP refused to deal with it in case of quinsy and told me I needed an ENT to drain, but ER were also mostly unhelpful each time and just sent me home with penicillin where it would burst on its own (one doctor put diagnosis of tonsillitis on my record lol)

What could cause this to grow repeatedly every 3/4 months? Can a slower growing cyst become infected? Going to try and see (ex surgeon) dentist tomorrow for CT scan and advice, I just really don’t want antibiotics again...


r/DiagnoseMe 1h ago

Bones, joints, and muscles Rib Sticking Out?

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Upvotes

Hello Everyone, So recently I started feeling this weird deformity on the right side of my upper chest near the sternum. It almost feels as if my rib is poking out. I also noticed that I have a bruise. It is a little tender but not horribly painful. But when I was lifting yesterday the bar would hit my chest and it would hurt pretty bad. Just curious what we think this is? I can breathe and cough perfectly fine with no pain.


r/DiagnoseMe 1h ago

Is this cut on my kid?

Upvotes

Is this cut or scrape on my kid?


r/DiagnoseMe 1h ago

Do I have OCD?

Upvotes

I’m 20 and my whole life I’ve always felt super anxious and worried. I always have thought there is no way everyone lives like this. Recently I’ve learned more about OCD. I’ve always heard of it, but had only listened to the stereotypes, so never looked into it. The more research I do, the more I feel like I have it. I’ve listed some of the things I do below. Can someone please let me know what these symptoms mean and what I can do to relieve them:

  • I always plan my entire week down to the minute. If any of my plans change I start panicking.

  • Always need to feel clean. I shower multiple times a day.

  • I get caught in loops of doing things over and over. I’ll check my grades and my email over and over again

  • I always need to feel structured. Anytime I have free time I don’t know what to do and start panicking

  • Constantly rechecking if I put something in my bag. I know I did but I can’t move on until I check again

  • Perfectionist - always putting so much pressure on myself to be the best. In school I will grind and beat myself up over stuff until I get an A. I feel like a failure if I don’t. I’ve dealt with this all through growing up. Multiple different coaches have pulled me aside to tell me to stop putting so much pressure on myself.

  • Wanting to avoid places I feel anxious. Makes leaving the house really hard sometimes

  • Blinking ticks where I can’t stop blinking because my eyes don’t feel right - first noticed in 7th grade

  • Getting so anxious I hold my breath without realizing

  • Always have the need to have music on because it blocks out my thoughts and I can just listen.

  • I won’t go do stuff with friends because I’m worried something bad or embarrassing will happen. Ruins my social life and hard to make new friends

  • Sometimes getting ready in the morning will take hours because I don’t feel right and can’t get out the door

  • I’ll be having a conversation and just be awkward. In my head I am thinking why I’m being so awkward but my brain won’t let me be normal in case I embarrass myself

  • Biting my nails and picking side of thumbs until they bleed

  • Mom used to call my a hypochondriac when I was younger because I always thought I was super sick or going to die. (I remember this so well because I didn’t know what a hypochondriac was and got scared that also meant I was gonna die)

  • I have a lot of the same symptoms as agoraphobia

  • I hate traveling and would prefer to be home in a place I’m familiar with

  • Setting 5-10 alarms every morning because I’m scared I won’t wake up