jk1 wrote:
My good intentions in general don't seem to be understood. Some people simply respond in a rather rude and hostile manner when I talk to them politely. I am often left puzzled. Not all the people are like that. So, I concluded that those who interpret me negatively for some reason must have something dark inside and are probably evil. Otherwise there is no explanation for their hostility.
I had this exact same problem in college, and it nearly drove me insane. It made me doubt everything about myself and I even tried to commit suicide at one point. I have never really gotten over that experience.
It's taken therapy and medication for anxiety-laced depression to start getting over it, though it still hurts because of all the bullying I faced.
At least now I know that I am a good friend to have and I shouldn't worry about what people think because I know who I am on the inside.
What I have learned is that when people respond rudely to you it shows some sort of insecurity in themselves; they think that anyone who acts caring actually wants to take advantage of them. It's because they have been hurt before or have been raised to believe that the people outside their circle think they're lesser somehow. Some of those people would take advantage of you because they believe it's the way the world works, but most are just trying to live. It takes patience and time and not trying too hard to show people that you can be trusted. It also takes self-control of your emotions, something I am still trying to master.