Crying over any type of criticism
 

Recently I have become more and more tearful. It is always because of something said. Just now I'm crying over an email from work and I don't want to go to work because of it. It wasn't even anything much and I know my boss doesn't think it is my fault. I'm worried that she will say something about it to me and I will dissolve into tears.

The part that bothers me most is that someone said something to them rather than talking to me first. I just think that people pretend to be nice and things like that confirm it.

I wish that I didn't take things so personally. I also wish I didn't cry so easily either. What do other people do to stop it?

I can relate a lot to this. It will be interested to see other peoples replies and their advice.
Hugs x

When you're insecure there's not much foundation to protect you inside. Also, when you've been badly hurt once, or repeatedly, it can leave a raw place in your feelings, so that each new criticism rubs it raw. Especially if it's similar to a past rejection or attack.

Actually, I think it's kind of human to be upset when criticised. There's so much in society that tells you not to be, that you have to be tough and not care etc. Personally I think that adds to people's low sense of themselves, and makes them more vulnerable to depression and anxiety.

Now, I know not all criticism is an attack, and I know the whole bundle about facing reality and accepting how you are. But I do wonder if any criticism is purely objective. Often there's the whole thing about power behind it. But that's my experience.

In this situation, it sounds like you feel hurt that they haven't been completely open and honest with you?

Thanks. I think it is more that I can't stop crying and it will bother me for ages. Sometimes it is on the verge of hysteria.

I don't want to say too much about it, but I was doing the work for them as extra to my job and I don't think it was nice of them. They didn't criticise me as such, but when I was there this week nothing was said and they were nice to me. I'm supposed to talk about it with my boss, but I avoided it as I knew that I would start crying.

I just hate the whole idea of people pretending to be nice and not being really. It means you never know if people really like you or not.