Dear anita,

it is true that I put myself down in front of others. For example I criticized my own artwork when presenting it to my professor and the class. Not only criticized it, but said about some of it that it is bad. It is a very bad habit of mine, that I need to stop doing. If I see the amazing artwork of others, I often get insecure about my own. But I actually know that I have some talent. And even my professors often say good things about my stuff. I need to stop comparing myself to others. But it’s easier said than done.

I was able to resolve the problem with the Co-worker. We talked and now everything is o.K. again.

Maybe I can also resolve the situation at the dormitory. My friend said, I should go to the floor meeting. To see what they talk about. So I won’t have to worry and stress about what it was about. And if they talk about the problem with the knife, maybe I can bring up the topic that I feel like they suspect me. And maybe it can all be resolved then…. But I am afraid that everyone will gang up on me. And I will get very distressed and nervous then most likely. And then I will look even more suspicious!!! I almost feel like I actually did something wrong already!

I think it is a good idea to examine more why I get so distressed over small comments with my therapist. The best will be if I write those comments I can remember down beforehand. In my opinion, it is because I heard lots of negative things about myself as a child and got very little encouragement. Nobody was really on my side. But a closer examination could be helpful. Sometimes my therapist comes up with things that I didn’t even think of.