[meander]

OK, I know this is all in my mind, but:

When I'm walking down a crowded street, I think (particularly when I'm depressed) that everyone I pass is looking at me, judging me, and laughing at me, although what they're supposedly laughing at I don't know.

Any tips on how to reverse this negative thinking?

[MyBestKids2]

((((((((((((meander)))))))))))))

I feel and think the same way. I have no advice though, I'm sorry. I just usually put my head down and try to walk as quickly as possible. I hope you get some good advice here.


Dee

[Wants2Fly]

Hi there -- I had this problem, but in reverse. I had a critical judgmental thought about the people I saw on the streets.

Here is what a spiritual mentor taught me to do: When I noticed the negative thought, I would mentally say, "Who is your parent? You don't belong here," disowning the thought as my own. Then I would replace it with a kind thought. My understanding of our mental processes is that we can switch from one thought to another rapidly, but we cannot hold two thoughts at the same time.

I had to be consistent about this for a long time -- almost a year. I felt so happy the first time a spontaneous nice thought about two people getting out of a car. They were a bit overweight, but my first thought was, "Look how in love they are. The treat each other with such respect."

Don't give up. You can change your thoughts.

[meander]

Thanks :-)

((((((((((((meander))))))))))))))

I'm soooooooo the same!!!! When someonelaughs I think it's about me. I also walk with my head down.
I'm trying to changealthough it's really hard. I suppose it's lack of selfesteem and confidence. Thanks for the input wtf.

love, jinny xoxoxoxoxxo

[DePressMe]

Oh, yes, of course, I know everybody is looking at me and talking about me.

I am better than I use to be...I try to remind myself that people have better things to do than critique my hair or clothes or whatever.

[Rapunzel]

Well, when you are walking down the street and you think everyone is looking at you and talking about you, think about all the people that you pass. Are you looking at them and talking about them? Why not? Why should they all be be thinking about you then?

I guess I'm the opposite on this one. I tend to think that I'm invisible, and nobody notices me at all, or sees me, or remembers me, or cares about me, ... I'm not sure which is worse.

(((((((Meander)))))))) I think if they are looking at you they're probably looking at an attractive young woman.

[summerflower22]

I'm sorry that you have to endure that . I also know what it's like, to feel like I'm being ridiculed as I walk down that street. Makes me not want to go out. But I have BDD, so that's why it happens to me.
What I try to stop the negative thinking is that I think that maybe they're not laughing at me, but at something else....I don't know, it's hard, and I know how you feel.