Criticism or a negative comment can hit me physically: tight chest, nausea, sudden tears.

Feeling rejected can overwhelm me so completely that I can no longer think clearly for hours.

When someone seems disappointed in me, I feel crushed, far beyond what the situation calls for.

I push myself to be perfect mostly to avoid being criticized, not because I want excellence.

I say yes when I really want to say no, just to avoid disappointing people.

I avoid situations where I might be judged or fail, even when they really matter to me.

When I sense possible rejection coming, I withdraw or go silent before it can actually happen.

If someone is not warm with me, I immediately assume they dislike me.

After a social interaction I replay the details for hours: did they look strange? did I disappoint them?

A single rejection can make me feel like everyone is rejecting me.

I anticipate rejection long before it might actually happen, and the anticipation exhausts me.