Hello, I suffer from strong depression. Every time someone online says something mean to me it extremely hurts my feelings and it triggers this extremely strong depression in me.
It just happened again and the depression is so strong that I have barely any energy and it’s very hard to write this. First it always feels like a strong overwhelming shock that’s paralyzing me and then it goes over into this state of feeling very down, having no energy and being hopeless and sad.
Every time something like this happens it blocks me for many days/weeks or even months. It increases the feeling of paranoia that I can’t trust anyone and anyone potentially dislikes me. Maybe no one likes me. It’s like people are so evil/cruel online and don’t care how the other person is feeling. I have the strong urge of being liked and if someone is showing the opposite and is mean to me it truly hurts me.
I think my depression comes from people hating on me.
Hey, so first, relax. And not in a “wow what a crazy overreaction what a weirdo” way.
Like in a “it completely doesn’t matter” way.
It sounds like youre likely ruminating on past interactions and letting that cycle paralyze you. I hate to tell you “touch grass,” but, go exercise. Find something fun to do. Go hiking. Or take up a hobby. Learn an instrument. Kick a hackey sack around.
I know it sucks. But hear me… When your brain is frantically figuring out how to handle your redlining heart and O2 levels, you will not be able to take the space to remember that thing someone said online. When your brain is getting frustrated that you keep messing up that riff at the same spot every time, you’ll find focus that drowns out this negative stuff.
There’s a lot I can say, but it’s all to sell you on something that’s a hard sell. Take my word for it, please. Find a big hill and go walk up it the next time your chest feels tight.
I tend to be similar. And what my therapist tells me, and what maybe you need to hear or realize is, you are living in your head. There’s a whole world outside of it. If being in your head is not treating you well, go focus on your senses. Go smell something nice. Go touch something fuzzy. Go listen to something pleasant. Go eat something delicious. And focus on it. Like for real, oomut of your head, focus on it. Take stock in what’s good.