My ideas of reference are usually about random people saying mean things about me and plotting to hurt me. These thoughts used to really haunt me and hurt me. It got to where I stayed away from people in order to protect myself.

I read someting at goodtherapy.org that made me think. I would put the link her but the message board won't let me because I only have 8 posts. The article said:

"a person with low self-esteem or who is suspicious of other people might often feel that people are laughing at him or her."

I've been thinking about this for some time before I read it. I know my self esteem is not high. Could that be my problem instead of having ideas of reference? I'm going to the pdoc soon and will get his opinion.

What about you? Do you think you have low self esteem instead of ideas of reference? Or do you just think they're linked?