How do you react to real or perceived criticism?

PugofCrydee

You want to know how I got these scars?
I have this reaction, where if I get criticised (real or mistakenly perceived) I see it as a personal attack on the very fibre of my being. It's as though the "attacker" is demeaning who I am, everything I stand for, everything I believe and everything I identify with.
It's like a switch is flicked, and I go from being the person that wears a 'social mask' to get by each day and trying to fit in to... Quite the opposite.

I feel overpowered, dominant and fearless towards the "attacker". For a few moments I feel as if I want to exact revenge, break them for treating me with such disrespect and contempt..especially if it's happened in front of others.

I hate feeling like that.. I'd prefer it not to happen at all..
So how do you react and how do you try to deal with those situations?
 

Lilly789

Well-known member
wow. Why do you get so offended, do you think you are above criticism? ;)

For me, umm.. depends what is being criticised.

I don't really have any personal reaction. I mean, Ill correct them if theyre wrong, or agree with them if theyre right, or talk through it with them if its more like a differing of opinions.

However, it does depends on where the criticism is coming from. I tend to crush people who criticise because of their own failings, or because they don't understand something or if they are projecting their problems onto me. I find that immensely weak and pathetic and have no sympathy for that at all.

but if they have done it intelligently, openly and honest way, I don't have a problem with it at all. In fact I quite enjoy the challenge and education that can come with it (for both people). I don't mind a good debate. (actually I love it).

I would be more insulted if someone told me something I was doing was good when it wasn't.
 
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PugofCrydee

You want to know how I got these scars?
Well you see one of the symptoms of APD is being overly sensitive to criticism. That why I've asked how others deal with it in the APD forum.
I don't know why I react that way, if I knew I could work towards putting a stop to it.
I find it a bit amusing that you say 'wow, why do you get so offended' but then go on to say 'I tend to crush people..." ;)

Anyway, I was more interested in peoples experiences with APD and their possible sensitivities to criticism, and if/when they react badly - how have they learnt to cope with it for the better.
Perhaps I should have made that clearer.
 

Lavinialuna

Well-known member
I don't handle criticism well either. I get my feelings hurt. Sometimes I defend myself and get mad but then later loathe myself for being garbage, other times I just feel like garbage right away. Not sure why I have these reactions either. For me I think it might stem from being rejected as a child and wanting so much to fit in, but knowing (or perceiving) that I don't. I worry that the people judging me don't like me.
But yeah, I can say I experience it, but don't know why or how to fix it.
 
I once spent a whole weekend feeling dreadful because of a perceived criticism that I received at work on a Friday which turned out on the Monday to be nothing much at all. I had twisted it in my mind to be much worse than it was
 
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