How do you cope with feeling like everyone doesn’t like you?

I am struggling with a lot of intrusive thoughts lately. I could post in a lot of threads about specific thoughts I am having but among them is the worry that nobody likes me. I try to be brave about it and act like it doesn’t bother me but the truth is it is causing me a lot of distress.

Can I ask you why you feel no one likes you?

As you mentioned they are intrusive thoughts. They are like an overprotecting mother who even when is not her intention, she’s trying to prevent you from opening your wings because she’s terrible afraid of you can be harmed.

The first you have to know is that they are thoughts that appear as a defence mechanism of protection but they are thoughts, only thoughts, they are not valid or have a proof. It’s your mind trying to protect yourself from the outside but they are not helpful anymore. They arose as a response to a traumatic event or soon in the childhood bad experiences but they are not valid anymore.

Identifying them, put them labels, see which ones repeat themselves more often and treat them as thoughts that are gonna be from time to time with you. Telling you always the same story.

Personally, I began with a therapy that consisted on identifying these thoughts and refuting them through logic questions. It can be helpful for you. So, you can change little by little these thoughts for others more realistic ones. It takes time. But, it’s important to know how your enemy works to beat him.
For example, why do you think people dislike you? when did you think this? In which situation? Which words did you tell yourself? What lead you to think that you are not liked? why for in concrete?
Notice that it’s your own thought, your own opinion. You are putting these thoughts in somebody else’s mind. But, it’s you who are thinking it.
After that, try to put on the other person’s shoes ( this person you think that dislike you), If you were him or her, would you criticise, or be upset, or dislike that person from doing the same you did?

Are you seeing a psychologist to whom you can work on these points with?

I think I kind of had another mini-breakdown yesterday then I became lucid again and I think I can explain it in such a way that maybe we can tease it out. I don't want to have to take some things so seriously I'm not a brain surgeon for a reason, I know I cannot handle that kind of responsibility (I probably shouldn't flatter myself I'm also not nearly that smart) it freaks me out just thinking about it. So I can have a kind of nonchalance about certain tasks and things in life that is I can actually see kind of off putting. I don't like the pressure that can come with a great deal of life, other people thrive on it and that can create friction between myself and others. I'm nonchalant sometimes because being serious about it gives me a great deal of anxiety.