When people treat you like you're stupid: how to deal with the blow to your self-esteem
in Psychology ·
I don't even know how to start this. Growing up, everyone always told me I was a good-looking kid, you know? I never really had issues with my looks back then. But then, when I was about 11, I got into a car accident and ended up gaining a ton of weight. I wasn't that cute little kid anymore. I stayed at that weight until I was 17, which is when I finally decided to go on a diet. I managed to drop about 45 pounds. I figured things would get better after that. Everyone kept telling me, "You're handsome, but if you just lost some weight, you'd be perfect." So, I did it just to please people. It was pretty shallow and stupid of me, I guess. Anyway, now that I'm 18, I've totally transformed. I'm actually about 10 pounds underweight now. People tell me I'm gorgeous—some even said I should try modeling, but I passed because of school. I thought life would finally start looking up, but man, it hasn't. People just won't stop picking at me. They comment on my looks constantly and they've totally wrecked my confidence. Guys bump into me on purpose in the hallways, and there's all this gossip floating around that I'm stuck-up or gay (not sure why, but whatever). I've always been the guy who helps everyone out and I've never been arrogant. I'm a great student too. I was targeted before, but now it feels even worse. I just feel like no matter what I do, it's wrong. My self-esteem is basically trashed. When I look in the mirror, I see a handsome face, but somehow it still looks ugly to me. I don't get it. I don't do anything bad to anyone, I'm trying my best... but nothing's working. I'm feeling pretty depressed and I honestly don't know what to do.