CONSTANT BEST FRIEND ENVY
Since I was young I keep thinking that my friends can hear my thoughts and read my mind. At parties I always make sure I'm the last one to leave so no one will gossip about me. I also keep thinking that everyone is better than me at everything, which makes me envious of them. I once considered spying on them to see if they were joking and ridiculing me. I've never had a "main" best friend and it makes me very jealous whenever someone talks about their's. Whenever I'm not hanging with my friends I constantly daydream and fantisize about hurting my friend's "main" best friends. My dreams are similar. Whenever I call my friends on the phone and their "main" best friend is there with them instead of me I get very jealous, but I never expose my envy. After the conversation is over I get headaches and start to get very upset which later leads to nightmares. Is this normal or am I completely nuts?
I need more comments on this one
Never mind that spelling, Methos has spoken and that's Metho-licious.
No this is not normal Skybird. You are a bit nuts but you will end up completely nuts if you don't get yourself straightened out. Seriously now, you have a lot of issues that really need seeing to. That's good that you keep this envy hidden but it plagues you from within, causing you turmoil most of the time. We can't help you here because you need a professional to help you address your issues but at least recognising them is a start. You are much too into yourself, too worried about what others think or say about you, whether you are smart, are heard, are right and revered. You are left on the sidelines because of this and your vicious circle never ends.
Ask your doctor for a referral for a psychologist a.s.a.p., preferably a woman so you can tell her everything.
Tell your parents you need this badly because you're not coping well at all.
It is normal to sometimes be insecure about yourself, but it is not healthy to allow your fears to motivate your actions (such as hanging around to make sure no one will gossip about you) or paralyze you from forming new friendships, or strengthening existing ones. The headaches and nightmares you suffer from are probably caused by extreme anxiety, which can be controlled as you gain self-confidence.
You can be a best friend to someone easily, but you must develop confidence in yourself. This is something you will have to work at. After all, if you have self respect and confidence, its easier to command respect from others. You know that you want people to like you. Realize that this is a UNIVERSAL NEED. Your friends are no different. They also have the same needs, insecurities and hang-ups that are common to everybody. Present yourself as confident & friendly and they’ll be friendly too (if not slightly intimidated by *you*).
Be sincere. Don't use flattery ... you have to find something you truly like about a person before you open your mouth. Take note of some feature about him or her that you like (maybe her hair) Strike up a conversation (use your imagination). Then, point-blank: make a compliment & ask a question about whatever it is you found impressive at the same time. This is a double-pronged ego-stroke. The compliment is actually expressing your approval and the question is actually a statement telling him or her that you feel their opinion is important.
Be friendly and have no fear. Remember, they dont know you are anxious about meeting, or getting to know them. On the inside, they very much want to be liked & respected too, just like you do. And nobody is ever sure how the next guy is gonna see them.
Build trust: Trust takes time to build. Rather than see them as a short-term acquaintance, see them as a long-term potential best friend that you would like to build into a close, lasting friendship. The great thing about this posturing is that you can build just as many of these friendships at a time as you want.
Keep the tone as friendly as you can without seeming like a pushover. People feel good in the company of others who have a sense of self-esteem. Think about it. If you don't tolerate foolishness, but they are your friends, then they get the message that you don't consider them fools.
Once you have established a conversation, there are some basics you need to keep in mind. First, the other guy’s opinions matter to you. Don't debate; ... Ask questions. Also realize that you may need to see the person several times before you and they begin to feel more at ease with one another. Remember, to them, they are trying to make a good impression too & there will be some tension ... it's natural. Be friendly & appreciative of them. If you have friends nearby, introduce them & make some comment that will establish them as an important person in their minds & that they will know that you respect them. Over time, you can invite them to hang out, party & chill. Show interest in them. That's not difficult...because most people are interesting.
Be yourself, relax, and the rest will fall into place.
Good luck!