How Are You At Taking Compliments Or Accepting Good?

[UmightKnowMe]

Why would a person RESIST feeling better? It makes no sense at all to me. But time and time again if I am given a compliment...even one that I KNOW in my head I deserve I feel ashamed instead of whatever it is that you are supposed to feel when complimented. Or a good thing will happen to me and my first instinct is to discount it or even sometimes sabotage it somehow or tarnish it. This is ridiculous! But I continually have it going on with me. Is this a PTSD 'thing'? Or just a weird 'me' thing? What have you done to change this within yourself?

 

[pandora]

I am awful at accepting a compliment. I try to make an effort to say thank you...instead of ya, right.....it takes alot of hard work. It is the negative thinking taking over. We all have good qualities and we all deserve to feel good about ourselves when someone says something nice. I didn't realize I was doing it until a few people pointed it out to me. My ex...well the last two...if they gave me a compliment I used to look at them like they had two heads. Now I try to accept them with a thank you and say something nice back. It is very hard work but again all about changing our thinking processes.

 

[morgan]

As far as I know it is a self-esteem issue which often goes hand in hand with PTSD. I too have difficulty accepting compliments. I often just don't get it. I don't see it in myself so it makes no sense to me. I've gotten better about saying thank you but I still feel uncomfortable when complimented.

I also get a little uptight if I'm feeling particularly good sometimes. I'm often waiting for the other shoe to drop.

I was just telling a friend of mine today that ours is the first healthy relationship I've ever been in. I'm surprisingly okay with that so I must be getting better.

I think with time and good therapy everything eventually gets a little better.

Take care, Morgan

 

[Alicia]

compliments...

I take compliments very shyly... discount them...

HOWEVER... critiscism, totally take it personally...

This is a major issue for me that I am working on, both the compliments and differentiating between constructive critiscism (ie; job stuff) and just mean behaviour.

Alicia

 

[Salu]

I hear you, when I get a rare compliment I get the feeling that for some reason I have been insulted or the compliment its self is somehow a hidden insult.
Probably just self esteem problem that comes with PTSD, like so many have depression and anxiety.

 

[Lion]

I guess I'm on the opposite side as I graciously accept a compliment-but when it becomes a criticism-albeit constructive or less than-I take it in the wrong way no matter how the person is trying to come across.
I see my response as a failure for not meeting the standards of that persons view. I'm always thinking twice before I say anything when it comes to that and it really bothers me.
Now if it's condescending, they get what they deserve.

 

[sirsir]

I have a hard time taking a compliment because I think people are being sarcastic. Please dont misunderstand I think highly of myself however alot less of other people around me. If I am critisced I find joy in it because now I get to unlease my sharp tongue. Now this is strange.:dontknow:

 

[jeapea]

Compliments are hard for me to accept. It's kinda like being 'appraised'. Or, I think a compliment means someone wants something from me. Maybe something I don't have to give.......... or don't want to. They're too personal. Presumptious.