Rejection Sensitivity Test
I often pick up on subtle hints that someone might not like me.
Criticism about my words or actions tends to make me anxious.
Before sharing something online, I usually feel nervous about how it will be received.
I'm comfortable bringing up tough conversations with people.
Even though I understand people have busy lives, I still worry I've upset them if they don't respond quickly.
Inviting someone to a significant event makes me nervous about whether they'll actually want to attend.
I'm careful about revealing who I really am to others.
Asking someone out on a date fills me with fear that they'll say no.
When my partner seems distant but claims everything's okay, I still need extra confirmation.
Most of the time, I believe people have a positive opinion of me.
I frequently replay conversations in my head, wondering if I made a mistake.
Requesting assistance from a coworker makes me anxious about whether they'll be willing to help.
Things that don't bother others often leave me feeling hurt.
Approaching someone new at a social gathering doesn't make me feel anxious.
Not getting likes or comments on my social media posts makes me feel insecure.
Dealing with confrontational situations is challenging for me.
I regularly picture worst-case outcomes where my relationships might fall apart.
If I'm not invited to something, I tend to think it was a deliberate snub.
I often suspect that people don't like me.
I usually steer clear of situations where others might evaluate or criticize me.
20 questions remaining
What You Should Know
People who are rejection sensitive are more afraid of being left out of social situations and are more likely to overreact to perceived slights. A highly sensitive individual may experience distress when, for instance, someone cancels plans due to a valid emergency.
People who are very sensitive to being rejected may have something called rejection-sensitive dysphoria, but this isn't an official diagnosis in the DSM-5.
Some signs of this tendency are being very sensitive to rejection, having standards that are too high, getting very angry when rejected, feeling ashamed easily, avoiding social situations to avoid rejection, and thinking about things a lot after being around other people.
When someone is more sensitive to rejection, they may feel bad mentally and have problems in their relationships. For instance, someone might think that their partner is trying to hurt them on purpose, which can cause stress and conflict.
Rejection sensitivity may stem, in part, from a history of rejection by caregivers. These early experiences might change how someone thinks about being rejected in the future. It is also linked to mental health issues like ADHD.
Therapy and coping skills like mindfulness and self-regulation can help people who are sensitive to rejection.
Change
- Think before you act. Before you respond, think about other reasons why something happened or try to see things from the other person's point of view.
- Boost your self-esteem. To do this, look back on your past, work on your problem-solving and resilience, and think about your values, goals, and reasons for living.
- Get therapy. A therapist can help you look into your past and find healthy ways to deal with being sensitive to rejection.
