Why Do I Feel Like Everyone Is Trying To Upset Me?

Question:

I go through stages every few months where I feel completely over emotional and really upset. I feel like all the people around me are actually trying to piss me off or upset me even though I know they aren’t because they couldn’t care less about how down I have been. I feel really left out and ignored. I’m not an attention seeker, I really hate people like that, but I feel abandoned by those I thought would care. Small little things really bother me and make me so angry. I’m glad I have enough self control not to punch someone out for every small thing that sets me off. Then, after all this emotion and upset for about a week or two, I’ll be fine again for another few months.

What is wrong with me?

Ad
This Disclaimer applies to the Answer Below
  • Dr. Schwartz responds to questions about psychotherapy and mental health problems, from the perspective of his training in clinical psychology.
  • Dr. Schwartz intends his responses to provide general educational information to the readership of this website; answers should not be understood to be specific advice intended for any particular individual(s).
  • Questions submitted to this column are not guaranteed to receive responses.
  • No correspondence takes place.
  • No ongoing relationship of any sort (including but not limited to any form of professional relationship) is implied or offered by Dr. Schwartz to people submitting questions.
  • Dr. Schwartz, Mental Help Net and CenterSite, LLC make no warranties, express or implied, about the information presented in this column. Dr. Schwartz and Mental Help Net disclaim any and all merchantability or warranty of fitness for a particular purpose or liability in connection with the use or misuse of this service.
  • Always consult with your psychotherapist, physician, or psychiatrist first before changing any aspect of your treatment regimen. Do not stop your medication or change the dose of your medication without first consulting with your physician.
Answer:

There are a couple of comments that believe reveal some of what is going on with you. You stated that people couldn’t care less when you are down. The fact that you have episodes of being down for one to two weeks at a time, indicates that depression could very well be what is making you feel miserable. Depresssion can be episodic so that, as you say, you experience these problems every couple of months.

Irritability, anger and depression are often rooted in feelings of helplessness and helplessness about life. This mixture of feelings define depression. People tend to believe that depresssion means feeling low, sad, morose. Actually, anger is an important part of the picture of depression.  That is why arguing over things small and large occurs. By the way, we need to add anxiety into the “soup” and then we truly have depression. An additional ingredient in your case is your thought that everyhone around you is trying to make you upset.

Ad

There are other possible things that could be happening to cause you all of this unhappiness. That is why you really need to consult a psychologist or psychiatrist in order to get an accurate diagnosis. Then you will be given a recommendation for what to do next. That could be psychotherapy alone, medication with psychotherapy or medication alone, although the las is unlikely since it’s the combination of therapy and medicine that works best.

I do want to express my concern to you about this comment that you wrote:

Therapists are Standing By to Treat Your Depression, Anxiety or Other Mental Health Needs

Explore Your Options Today

Ad

“I’m glad I have enough self control not to punch someone out for every small thing that sets me off.”

My concern is that, if you do not seek help, your emotions might one day boil over to an extent that you take a swing at someone.  People get into fights when enough stress builds so that they stop being able to control their anger.

Best of Luck

More "Ask Dr. Schwartz" View Columnists

Myndfulness App

Designed to Help You Feel Better Daily

Myndfuless App Rating

Download Now For Free

Learn More >

Ad