Pat's Answer

To Pat / 13 August 2020

I'm a girl and I recently started dating another girl

Your Question

I’m a girl and I recently started dating another girl. now that we’ve started dating my anxiety has gotten really bad and i dont know what to do. Ive never dated anyone before so I don’t know if this is normal or if I’m just being stupid

From Pat / 7 September 2020

Answer

Hello, welcome to Ask Pat,  

Thank you so much for sharing your question with us. We know how hard it can be sharing problems, but we would also like you to know how beneficial it can be as well. 

It sounds like you have started dating someone recently and at the same time you have noticed that your anxiety has got bad. You also mention that this is your first time to date anyone. 

Would we be right in thinking that there are two things going on for you at the moment your feelings of anxiety and your new relationship? With both worries there are supports for you and you have taken a big step in reaching out to us. 

If you are struggling with anxiety you have the right to get support.  Is there a trusted adult that you could speak to about your feelings?  This adult could be an immediate family member, another relative, a youth leader, or a teacher. How would you feel about that? You have the right to seek medical support too, where you can get some advice on how to cope during anxious times. You may also find some information from the following websites regarding your anxiety: www.yourmnentalhealth.ie and www.jigsaw.ie/

Most new relationships will have some teething problems at the beginning while each partner gets used to being a part of a couple. It can be helpful to you both to talk about how you are feeling. The most important part of any relationship is that you feel respected. There is an organisation LGBT Ireland which offers support and information to same sex couples. You will find their website here www.lgbt.ie  or if you would prefer to talk to them their phone number is 1890 929 539.  There are some articles on relationships on the Childline website too. Here is the link www.childline.ie/sexuality-and-relationships/ . Have a read of them and if you still have any questions, you can get in touch with the Childline team to have a chat.

Childline services are available to you free 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All of the services are completely confidentiality, as long as you do not give any identifying information about yourself.  We don’t trace calls or use phone or IP addresses. You can phone Childline on 1800 66 66 66, text them at 50101 or web chat through the website www.childline.ie. Everyone at Childline would be happy to hear what you have to say if you feel comfortable getting in touch.  

Thank you for reaching out and sharing your worries. We hope that you will get some information and support from the services given above. 

Mind yourself and keep safe, 

Pat 

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