Depression can significantly impact the way you perceive yourself and the world around you, leading to distorted thoughts and negative beliefs about yourself and others. The feelings of thinking that everyone hates you and wants to hurt you are likely influenced by cognitive distortions commonly associated with depression. Some of these cognitive distortions include:
Negative Filtering: You tend to focus only on negative aspects of interactions or situations, disregarding positive or neutral aspects. This can lead you to believe that people dislike you or have ill intentions.
Personalization: You may internalize negative events and assume that they are a result of something you did wrong. For example, if someone cancels plans with you, you might think it's because they don't like you, rather than considering other possible reasons.
Mind Reading: Depression can make you believe that you can accurately know what others are thinking or feeling about you, even without evidence. This can lead to assuming that people harbor negative thoughts about you.
Emotional Reasoning: You may believe that your emotions accurately reflect reality. So, if you feel disliked or hurt, you might believe it is undoubtedly true, even without concrete evidence.
Isolation and Withdrawal: Depression often leads to feelings of social isolation and withdrawal, which can further reinforce the belief that others dislike you.
It's essential to recognize that these negative thought patterns are characteristic of depression, and they do not necessarily reflect reality. Depression alters your perception and can make it challenging to interpret social cues accurately.
If you find yourself struggling with these thoughts and feelings, it's essential to seek support from a mental health professional. They can help you identify these cognitive distortions and work with you on developing healthier thought patterns and coping strategies. Additionally, talking to a therapist or counselor can provide you with a safe space to express your feelings and receive validation and support.
Remember that depression is treatable, and with the right help, you can work towards a more positive and realistic outlook on yourself and your relationships with others.