I made a stupid mistake and now I’m feeling sick with anxiety.

[mazzystar]

Hi everyone,

Yesterday I made the mistake of getting a tattoo without much thought. I have been wanting to get a tattoo for many years now but suddenly decided to get my first one yesterday (quite a large one at that, stupid I know). As beautiful as the tattoo itself is I have been left with such a heavy feeling of dread and anxiety. Something about getting the tattoo has now triggered something in me and I no longer feel like myself. I feel like I acted completely out of character and I’m having a hard time accepting what I’ve done. I had no idea this would happen to me.

I have suffered from anxiety for well over 10 years now and this has brought up the most horrible panic attacks and negative thoughts that I’ve had in a long time. I’ve been beating myself up about it all day and can’t even bring myself to tell my parents that I got it. This probably all sounds ridiculous but my thoughts are all over the place and I could really use someone to talk to. I would also love to know if anyone has experienced this.

[Mina19]

Hi maz

i hear you, I had a friend who went through the exact same thing she didn’t tell her parents that she was getting one though. She thought it would be a great idea at first but obviously her mind set was totally different the next day, not saying it was a shitty tattoo but still it was pretty visible on her arm. Eventually she was ok with it and got another one. But like if you really hate it you could maybe think about getting it removed or something but do u mind if I ask what is it of and where about on your body is it?? Either way it’s ok pal!

[mazzystar]

Thanks so much! Glad to hear I’m not the only one who’s experienced this. I hope I become okay with it too otherwise I’m definitely gonna have to look into removal. Mine is a cat with a red flower on my outer leg above my ankle.

[White_Rose]

Dear Mazzystar

Hello and welcome to the forum. This is a good place to talk about those things that trouble you.

What you describe is called buyer's remorse. It's what happens when we carry out an action, often with difficulties in reversing, and decide/realise it may be a mistake. I know that's not particularly helpful at the moment, I wanted to let you that many people experience this. Some manage to change while others learn to live with it.

I have seen a number of tattoos on various people, having a tattoo on the ankle actually looks nice. Think about it for a while as I understand it may be expensive to get it removed. While impulse buying can end up as a "Why did I do that" scenario sometimes it can work out OK.

By now I expect your parents have seen your tattoo. How did they react? Remember you have wanted to get a tattoo for many years which does not make this an impulse buy. Why have you wanted a tattoo? No need to tell us, just think about your reasons and see if anything has changed. The realisation of a dream can be a little confronting when it happens. The dream has become a reality which changes how you think about it. Let it sit on the back boiler, so to speak, and see how it feels in a little while. I think you may change your mind about having it removed.

If you do have the tattoo removed do you think you will worry about doing that? At the moment you are unsure of what you want to do. Wait, talk to friends about it. I believe it is your anxiety which has been given a fright. Sit with it. I think you will come to enjoy your cat with a red flower. Sounds cute.

Meanwhile continue to write in here if it is helpful.

Mary

[mazzystar]

Thank you so much for the kind words, Mary. I really do hope I come to love it and that this is all just initial anxiety.

Right now all I want is for it to be gone which is such a frustrating feeling. I would rip it off right now if I could. I wish I had known I’d feel this way but I don’t think there was any way for me to predict this. Maybe this is a possible learning experience and at least now I know I may not actually want tattoos after all.

And no, unfortunately my parents still don’t know which is another huge source of anxiety for me.

[Tess2]

Dear mazzystar,

white rose has given you sound advice. Don’t rush into another decision. Let the tattoo settle and see how you feel, or get a referral to a dermatologist to discuss removal, I don’t what they will advise but it may be best to do it sooner, or later I don’t know. I know that laser removal is also expensive.

you have said that the tattoo is beautiful so this may just be your initial anxiety or something deeper.

i know you are anxious about telling your parents, but I would try to get the nerve to do soone rather than leave it. Parents generally want to help their children and support them. Even if they don’t always like the decisions that they make.

try not to stress too much.

tess