What do I do when I feel like everyone hates me?

The feeling that everyone hates you is usually a symptom of Major depressive disorder, Anxiety disorder, or low self-esteem rather than an accurate reflection of reality. When you're struggling mentally, your brain can become hyperfocused on negative interactions while filtering out positive ones, creating a distorted view of how others perceive you. This cognitive bias, called 'mind reading,' involves assuming you know what others are thinking without any real evidence. Major depressive disorder can make you interpret neutral expressions as disapproval or assume that people are talking about you negatively. Social Anxiety disorder can make every interaction feel like evidence that you're being judged harshly. Challenge these thoughts by looking for actual evidence - have people explicitly said they hate you, or are you making assumptions based on their behavior? Consider alternative explanations for others' actions - maybe they're distracted, having a bad day, or dealing with their own problems. Look for evidence that contradicts the belief that everyone hates you - who has shown you kindness recently? Who reaches out to you or includes you in activities? Sometimes this feeling is so overwhelming that it's worth talking to a mental health professional who can help you develop more balanced thinking patterns and address underlying Major depressive disorder or Anxiety disorder. Remember that your thoughts about what others think of you are often much harsher than reality.