I find that I tend to criticize myself relentlessly, and I think I mostly do it as a defense mechanism to protect myself from the criticisms and rejections of others. The reason I think it’s a defense mechanism is because of the anxiety I feel whenever a therapist tries to work with me on toning down my inner critic. I feel like I have to anticipate anything other people might say and set the bar for myself as low as possible, because I know I am likely to crumble if I encounter any significant criticism or disappointment or rejection that I haven’t gone over several times beforehand in my mind.

Anyone else do this?