Terrified of people thinking I am a bad or mean person

[Survivor3]

Hi to you too! Thanks? hope you are doing well too!

I'm ok, struggling as usual but ok.

 

[Questioning]

I'm ok, struggling as usual but ok.

Oh, yeah I am sorry to hear u are struggling. I am too in my own ways. I hope things get better for you. Your well wish made me feel better?

 

[Juso]

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this. I know how horrible it feels like. I too am very scared that people will become angry at me because they think I am a bad person.

Some days ago I got triggered by the facial expressions of my therapist because my anxious brain interpreted them the wrong way. I assumed she was angry at me because she thought I was being selfish and mean. Which wasn't true at all according to her. I got so dysregulated that I couldn't hide it anymore, and so we talked about it.
She also told me that I will have to learn how to cope with people actually being angry at me because they think I am a bad person. We don't have any control over what other people think unfortunately.

In my case, this anxiety also stems from an abusive childhood. It really sucks. But as @Teasel said, it can get better. As soon as we are able to challenge our core beliefs and our cognitive distortions, we will heal❤

 

[Questioning]

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this. I know how horrible it feels like. I too am very scared that people will become angry at me because they think I am a bad person.

Some days ago I got triggered by the facial expressions of my therapist because my anxious brain interpreted them the wrong way. I assumed she was angry at me because she thought I was being selfish and mean. Which wasn't true at all according to her. I got so dysregulated that I couldn't hide it anymore, and so we talked about it.
She also told me that I will have to learn how to cope with people actually being angry at me because they think I am a bad person. We don't have any control over what other people think unfortunately.

In my case, this anxiety also stems from an abusive childhood. It really sucks. But as @Teasel said, it can get better. As soon as we are able to challenge our core beliefs and our cognitive distortions, we will heal❤

Yeah, I also overly interpret people’s facial expressions and movements/what they say because of this. I might sometimes tell my friends I felt like someone didn’t like me , and often they will not even know what the heck I am talking about, they hadn’t noticed anything like that. I think for me changing these core beliefs will be one of the main things I have to focus on in therapy too. Thank you for telling me this, it made me feel less alone in this. Hope things will improve for you

 

[Teasel]

I also overly interpret people’s facial expressions and movements/what they say because of this. I might sometimes tell my friends I felt like someone didn’t like me , and often they will not even know what the heck I am talking about, they hadn’t noticed anything like that.

Just to say I relate to this so much. :hug:
A course of CBT was helpful for it. - was diagnosed with social anxiety, have you looked it up? I know how difficult it is, well wishes to you :)

 

[Questioning]

Just to say I relate to this so much. :hug:
A course of CBT was helpful for it. - was diagnosed with social anxiety, have you looked it up? I know how difficult it is, well wishes to you :)

I have anxiety, not specifically social anxiety diagnosed yet, but I always score high on the anxiety tests. I’m going to continue therapy and will hopefully learn more about it.? Thank you, all the best to you as well