More sensitive to criticism since the trauma

[Eliza]

Does anyone else find their PTSD makes them more sensitive to criticism?

I know it's a really weird link, but I used to be able to take criticism on the chin. Take it, change it (if possible), move on.

But since my trauma, even the slightest criticism, or a headshake/disapproving look from my boss sends me into a complete panic. It puts me close to tears and I lose sleep over it for several days.

I think it may be that I'm slightly on edge anyway, or that I'm catastrophising - the worse has happened once, so the worst will happen with everything else in my life. Like, she shook her head at me today because I asked what could have been perceived as a stupid question (but something I wanted to get right before we printed 30,000 books). Now I'm convinced I will be fired.

Has anybody else had experiences like this? If so, do you know how to stop it?

My trauma isn't overly troubling me now - I had a long course of CBT, it's just the lasting anxiety pangs that I am now left with.

 

[somerandomguy]

Does anyone else find their PTSD makes them more sensitive to criticism?

Yes. Criticism can be a big-time stressor.

 

[Sweetleaf]

Does anyone else find their PTSD makes them more sensitive to criticism?

Lol, big time. I'm so sensitive to criticism that my brain hunts for it and finds it in all sorts of places where there is none.

I feel like a crazy person sometimes, with how frequently I misunderstand everything - with how frequently I feel like I am being attacked, criticized, or being bossed around. My mom has even started getting angry at it and calling me paranoid and other stuff.

 

[Eliza]

I totally get that. I get paranoid about loads of things. I keep getting intrusive thoughts that my housemate hates me, or is using my things without asking - not that I'd have a problem with her using my stuff (we share things all the time), but in my mind she's doing it to spite me (which in reality, she'd never do).

I'm glad it's not just me. I spent most of yesterday on the verge of tears. We had some big deadlines at work, and my boss was stressed out too, so she was more snappy than usual. So that, plus my increased sensitivity, just created a very horrible atmosphere.

It seems better today though. (Fingers crossed it will stay that way!)

 

[Mee]

Oh yes.

 

[Deleted member 42984]

Lol, I'm hypersensitive to criticism. Just today my NA sponsor made a snide remark about my sanity, which really was meant all in good fun, but I got upset and BOOOM felt like a hurt little boy again, just like that, in an instant :D

Sometimes even a disaproving look from someone is enough to start feeling shame creep up on me. I talked to my T about my early trauma last session, and the look he gave me, well I interpreted it as 'he thinks I'm completely crazy'. He didn't. But that's how I often feel, especially when I share vulnerable shit like trauma shit -- and when I let out my child parts. They are like drenched in shame, and doesn't handle criticism well. I get upset over literally nothing sometimes. A remark, meant in good fun, I interpret as a personal insult. Etc. etc.

 

[Eliza]

Yep. I completely see what you mean there. My boss has given me a few disapproving looks recently, and she had a bit of a go about me being out of the office (on something she asked me to do!), which I've taken to heart far more than I should have. And I know she's been super stressed, and I know she doesn't mean it personally (at least I hope she doesn't!). But it's making me feel like an awful employee. And I'm really taking it to heart.

My self esteem has been in shatters since the trauma, and this is just making me feel so worthless.

 

[ABKD]

Yes, I recognize that situation.
I worked for an organization in which people were very negative and mistakes were not done. There was a lot of criticism and it made me feel so stressed, stupid, helpless,... I decided to search for another job and found one. In this new job I also have some difficulties with criticism (from costumers), but my colleagues really help and support me. I decided to be honest about it to some people. They're now all trying to help me by finding a solution.

In some working environments you can be honest about it, in other working environments that's not possible.... I hope it's possible for you to talk about it with your supervisor.

 

[Still Standing]

even the slightest criticism, or a headshake/disapproving look from my boss sends me into a complete panic.

Ditto. I was triggered by correction the other night, even though I didn't realize I had done anything wrong. It was like an electric shock went through my body and feelings of shame and fear and being misunderstood, ravaged my brain for a full day before things calmed down. It is like I beat myself up so the person delivering the criticism does not have to. It is gnarly.

 

[ILoveLife]

Yep. Even people glancing on the street sends me into a spiral of 'whats wrong with my face'.
Small criticism like "you're in a bad mood today" and I think Im being abusive and immediately apologize a million times lol

I get star ratings at my job. If its not 5 stars I lose sleep over it.

 

[Eliza]

It was like an electric shock went through my body and feelings of shame and fear and being misunderstood, ravaged my brain for a full day before things calmed down.

Electric shock is a really good way to describe it. It's like it physically hurts.

I get star ratings at my job. If its not 5 stars I lose sleep over it.

Wow - star ratings at a job has to be rough. I get agitated at the fact my Uber rating is only 4.75!

 

[Mach123]

You mean, like when I feel like I'm going to die because I think you don't like me lol? Sensitive hardly describes me. I work hard on this all the time because to me it means not having proper boundaries. I feel like this because I don't feel safe. : )