FORUMS

Connect with people who understand what you are going through, seek advice and surround yourself with support. We're free, anonymous, and professionally moderated 24/7.

  • 47,612Members
  • 1,358,869Posts
  • 1,400,000Visitors
Our stories

The Fear of Dying Alone

The Fear of Dying Alone

Hi everyone,

I am new to this forum.

I am 24 years old and I have struggled for a long time with depression, anxiety, body image issues, and OCD. It has at least 12 years now that I have struggled with it. This has meant that I have struggled to develop friendships and I have missed out on a lot of opportunities.

This has lead to my greatest fear, the fear of never having a partner. I have never had a girlfriend, I am a virgin and it pains me greatly. I was in hospital 7 times over an 8 month period and part of this was due to the fact that I may never have a girlfriend. I also have crippling body image issues which means I never look in the mirror. The pain is exacerbated by the fact that I am the only person in my family over the age of 18 who is not in a long term relationship or married.

My problem is that I don't know how to get out more as I am struggling to find things to do. Does anyone else have the same problems as I do because it seems like everyone is finding it easy to get into relationships except me? Am I doing anything wrong?

171 replies

51 - 60 of 171
1...567...18

In response to: The Fear of Dying Alone

Re: The Fear of Dying Alone

Hey @Hope4me

Thanks, I am really trying my best right now. This past week has been pretty good but I have fallen in a little bit of a hole in the last couple of hours.

Mine was pretty good. It was my mum's birthday on Sunday and we went out for lunch and then we saw Dumbo at the cinemas. I guess I am different to my family in the sense that I am one of the few in mine that has an actual degree. Most of them just dropped out before completing year 10.

That's interesting when things like that pop up. I mean I've never had anyone say they were jealous of me but I would be pretty surprised if someone did say that. I guess it's just the self loathing talking right now because of what I said in the previous paragraph.

Though, that being said, I have had others say to me that I am not boring. (I should preface the fact that I tend to say that a lot 😂😬). Some of those people who have said that are people who are outgoing and extroverted and go to lots of parties and the like. I would have thought my of living, which is the antithesis of their way of living, would have been considered boring to them. That is surprising.

Can I ask what field of counseling? That's a great business that you have there though. It would be meaningful and therapeutic. Plus it would help put food on the table so you are checking all the boxes 😂👊

I do appreciate it, even though I am probably not in the right mindset at the present moment. I have often thought I matured a lot earlier than most which is why I have a strong sense of self. I agree, others need to know who they are or it can be easy to feel really lost in this world.

I hope you are doing well.

In response to: Re: The Fear of Dying Alone

Re: The Fear of Dying Alone

Hey @Hope4me

So something just came up. A woman I had a crush on for a couple of years now just go into a relationship.

My heart just sank completely and it and it makes me question the future immensely.

I am trying express gratitude about what I have, and I’m about to go for a run, but this is something I’m going to start dealing with soon. Exposure therapy. I’m a little scared.

Hope you are well.

In response to: Re: The Fear of Dying Alone

Re: The Fear of Dying Alone

Hey @Hope4me

Sorry to dump all of this on you but I have a question...

Do you think standards are higher for men than women when it comes to confidence? I feel women who don’t have as much confidence don’t have as much trouble than men who have low confidence. It’s just a thought that I’ve had for a while.

In response to: Re: The Fear of Dying Alone

Re: The Fear of Dying Alone

I am wondering if there is anyone I can talk to? I had another panic attack today. I feel horrible at the moment.

In response to: Re: The Fear of Dying Alone

Re: The Fear of Dying Alone

@Hope4me

Like I have tried online dating and I can't make a dent. I have tried meeting women in public and I can't make a dent. I have tried meeting women in social things and I can't make a dent.

Like something is seriously wrong with me. But others have no trouble finding dates, for better or for worse.

Can someone please talk to me?

In response to: Re: The Fear of Dying Alone

Re: The Fear of Dying Alone

Well I have collapsed big time.

It seems like the freaking standards that women set for me are freaking unattainable compared to what they set for other men.

Maybe I should head for the moon soon to start colonising it?

Maybe I should start working out how to cure cancer?

It wouldn't matter even if I did because I would get no credit for it and I would be treated like scum still.

I am sick of seeing people I went to school with get married.


And I don't want to hear anyone say "you just have to love yourself". What more can I possibly do? I have done so much in the past seven years to build a personality and values and principles but I still get pushed over and rejected because I am clearly an ugly piece of shit and someone who has a hideous and disgrace personality.

I have simply had enough. I don't know what women want. They clearly want me to be some kind of god.

In response to: Re: The Fear of Dying Alone

Re: The Fear of Dying Alone

Hey @Former-Member

It's wee hours of the morning; had bad thoughts in bed so I made a cuppa. Trying to force myself to sleep is more exhausting than staying up. So here I am...

It seems you've got yourself in a tither again hun. It doesn't take much to set you off hey. I'm wondering if you're a jealous type or a competitive type. I'm more the latter. To be honest, I don't think there's much difference between the two.

I'm sorry I haven't responded before now. I wish I had've seen these posts earlier; I maybe could've slowed the bell curv effect from escalating. You must admit, reading each one and seeing the progressive change that's occurring is a bit of a concern. The level of anger you express towards women especially.

You asked a couple of questions earlier that gives some insight into your confusion about that elusive gap between the sexes. They're a really normal response to rejection; for men and women alike. We've all been there I can assure you.

My life has been full of situations and events that would curl your hair, and if you knew, (which I'd never do to you) you might find some sense of understanding that both genders struggle with self esteem, confidence and being liked. It's how we cope (or don't) that makes us stand out from the crowd.

I'm sorry you feel so deeply emotional about your quest for love and companionship. Reality's a hard pill to swallow sometimes, I get that. Knowing your crush is now unattainable would be a huge let-down. I'm not surprised you're upset about it.

What concerns me more though, is how things escalate into blind rage that's aimed outward and then toward yourself. I feel it's something to work on with your psychologist or psychiatrist as soon as you settle and get the chance.

I hope you're ok and haven't done anything silly. You know I care just as your loved ones obviously do, but there's a limit to what we can achieve from the outside looking in.

You're an intelligent and vibrant young man who's admired by others; you've said so yourself. So wherever this is coming from is inside you. I'm not going to tell you to love youself because that's a last-ditch effort for frustrated counsellors. I will say though, the only person on this planet you can truly count on, is you. Without you in your corner, just as I'm being now, what will life be like?

I'd like to suggest a couple of movies that may give you better perspective on your perceived situation. The first is called; 'Me Before You' and the other's called; 'Breathe'. Oddly they're both made in the UK. Europe's so much better at drama than the Yanks. :face_with_rolling_eyes:

Apart from the aspects I'm asking you to observe, they're bloody well made movies, so you should enjoy them whether you get the gist of what I'm saying or not.

Take care till next time young one;

Hope 👵

In response to: Re: The Fear of Dying Alone

Re: The Fear of Dying Alone

I'm online now if you want to have a quick chat @Former-Member. Nothing long winded as my eyes are starting to close from tiredness. I'll give you ten minutes to reply before I go 🖐😉

In response to: Re: The Fear of Dying Alone

Re: The Fear of Dying Alone

Hey

Thanks for replying.

I still stand by the question I have made. I still feel there are discrepancies over this idea of confidence which I think is unfairly applied to men. I mean I’ve got no idea what women want from me. I seriously don’t understand how everyone in my life can have these experiences but I CONTINUALLY GET REJECTED.

People do say that but then they barely acknowledge me after that.

I’ve been on my own for so long now that it’s getting really hard to cope now. Pretty much ever since I left the womb. The idea of love and companionship is so damn taken for granted by society. I was at a mental health group meeting where some others talked about their experiences and some of them mentioned affairs they had or relationships they had been in.

I haven’t ever been in one.

I wouldn’t mind having an affair because at least then I would know that I am somewhat decently attractive. But no, we can’t have silly old me thinking those thoughts and having those feeling s. Because I’m not allowed... clearly.

I’m absolutely convinced for some men the standards are way too high. I mean, what else can I do?

I had had a mental health practitioner tell me that my cynical attitude towards dating is unattractive. He could be right but seriously, what does he expect of me? Should I have an optimistic attitude towards it? I’ve been rejected by everyone I’ve ever known since primary school. What other attitude am I going to have? These are the ridiculous standards everyone expects of me and I’ve simply had enough.

We take relationships for granted and we have really stupid ways of talking about them. It’s mind boggling. I had someone else tell me in a condescending tone “why do you want to be in a relationship?” So I just repeated the question back at them. And guess what? They couldn’t answer it!! Even after clarification they couldn’t give an answer to the question.

We take them them for granted and we have incredibly stupid ways of talking about them.

Those films you mentioned, I searched them up and one of them brings back bad memories. It contributed to me going to hospital.

Sorry if I seem difficult right now. I fee hideously ugly, repulsive, and pathetic. No woman can love me because I’m clearly destined to live my entire life alone. I just want a crack at a relationship just to see if I can actually do it. But I’m not holding my breath.

In response to: Re: The Fear of Dying Alone

Re: The Fear of Dying Alone

I also feel like if I was to get into a relationship, a nuclear war would break out. That’s how bad my luck is

51 - 60 of 171
1...567...18