Why do I get angry when someone compliments me?

All this to say, many of us respond awkwardly to compliments as an unconscious act of self-protection. Unfortunately, this unconscious self-protection often robs us of human connection. It keeps us from letting in the kind words and gratitude of others.
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Why do I get angry when I get compliments?

Indeed, this paradoxical reaction is largely an unconscious process. Even a simple compliment, although initially accepted at face value and enjoyed, can later arouse feelings of disbelief or anger toward the person giving the compliment, or can trigger negative attitudes and critical feelings towards oneself.
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Why do I hate receiving compliments?

“People have trouble accepting compliments for a number of reasons. Sometimes, it's tied to social anxiety. It can also be caused by feelings of low self-esteem, or by going through life without experiencing positive feelings of gratitude,” explains Lisa Schuman, a New York–based social worker.
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Why do I feel uncomfortable getting compliments?

Another reason compliments can feel uncomfortable is because the words you hear don't line up with the way you see yourself. Referred to as cognitive dissonance, it's the phrase psychologists use to describe the inconsistencies.
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Why can't I believe compliments?

There are three factors happening here, feeding into one another endlessly to make it hard to accept compliments: low self-esteem, cognitive dissonance, and high expectations. It goes like this: you don't think much of yourself, for whatever reason.
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Why Do I Feel Uncomfortable When Someone Compliments Me? | Chronic Illness Therapist



What do you call someone who doesn't accept compliments?

"Ostensible" A superficial person who denies praise despite believing it to be true themselves.
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Why is it so hard to accept compliments?

There are three factors happening here, feeding into one another endlessly to make it hard to accept compliments: low self-esteem, cognitive dissonance, and high expectations.
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What is the fear of being praised?

Doxophobia (from Greek doxo meaning "glory" or "honor") is the fear of expressing opinions or of receiving praise. Sufferers may have self-esteem issues but the key issues is that this person wants to be away from anyone's radar. This fear may arise due to comments that embarrass them.
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How do you respond when someone compliments you too much?

The direct answer would be "You don't need to flatter me." For a polite rejoinder you could use "Please, you are too kind. I will be glad to help." If you wish to be humorous you could say "Flattery will get you everywhere."
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What is Allodoxaphobia?

Allodoxaphobia – I am talking about the fear of other peoples' opinions, being ridiculed by other people, someone stronger not agreeing with you, looking a fool – a very common phobia. It's fair to say that it impacts all of us at some time or another.
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Why does my child hate compliments?

Compliments can make children feel anxious when they think, “I did it once, but I'm not sure I can do it all the time!” They can also feel pressure-filled when they involve a comparison. “You did more than she did!” implies that there's a competition going on, and your child could lose at any moment.
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How do you accept compliments with low self-esteem?

Those with low self-esteem dislike hearing compliments because they contradict their own feelings of self-worth.
...
Assume that the compliment is sincere.
  1. Try to give your peers the benefit of the doubt. ...
  2. Reverse your way of thinking. ...
  3. Consider who is giving the compliment if you know them.
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What does it mean to deflect a compliment?

When you deflect or deny that praise, you're basically contradicting them; you're saying that they don't have good judgment, discernment, or taste, or that they're insincere — that they don't know what they're talking about. You're returning their kind words with an insult.
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How do you accept a compliment humbly?

Here are seven ways to accept a compliment with humility and grace.
  1. Express your gratitude. ...
  2. Share the credit. ...
  3. Receive awards with your left hand. ...
  4. Use appropriate body language. ...
  5. Never undermine the compliment. ...
  6. Avoid a compliment battle. ...
  7. Follow appropriate etiquette.
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Is it rude to not accept a compliment?

Rejecting a compliment is just plain rude

The person who complimented you was being genuine, and questioning that comes off as rude. If someone disagrees with my compliment, I feel like I'm being slighted – it feels as if my opinion doesn't matter to the person I was complimenting.
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Are compliments a red flag?

Red flag and get your running shoes on! Superficial compliments, shallow flattery, and being too nice– Therapists are often very suspicious of the nicest most charming guy or girl in the room. That is because they tend to be on the high side of acceptable narcissism and putting on a show.
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What are backhanded comments?

: a compliment that implies it is not really a compliment at all She paid me a backhanded compliment when she said my work was "surprisingly good."
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Why do I always deflect compliments?

In addition, many people have reservations about their own performance, and so they may not feel as though they deserve the compliment they have received. Because of this discomfort, people develop a number of deflection strategies for compliments.
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Should you reciprocate compliments?

It does not matter if you agree or disagree with what they are saying, just relate to it as a gift and accept it. The best way to respond to the kind words from a boss or coworker is to simply say “Thank you,” and if the compliment made a difference, let the person know.
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Should you return a compliment?

Return compliments sincerely, but not competitively.

Instead of redirecting the compliment you received, pay the person a non-competing compliment in return. For example, you could say something like, "Thanks! I appreciate that. I think that you gave a really great presentation today as well!"
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What are the signs of low self-esteem?

Signs of low self-esteem include:
  • saying negative things and being critical about yourself.
  • joking about yourself in a negative way.
  • focusing on your negatives and ignoring your achievements.
  • blaming yourself when things go wrong.
  • thinking other people are better than you.
  • thinking you don't deserve to have fun.
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Do people with low self-esteem give compliments?

Add in low self-esteem, like the dude in the thread mentioned above, and he'll likely reject almost any form of appreciation as dubious or downright wrong. “Someone with low self-esteem isn't likely to believe compliments no matter how genuine,” psychologist Jeanette Raymond reiterates.
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How do you develop self-esteem?

Improving Your Self-Esteem
  1. Identify and Challenge Your Negative Beliefs. ...
  2. Identify the Positive About Yourself. ...
  3. Build Positive Relationships—and Avoid Negative Ones. ...
  4. Give Yourself a Break. ...
  5. Become More Assertive and Learn to Say No. ...
  6. Improve Your Physical Health. ...
  7. Take On Challenges.
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Can Compliments be triggering?

Receiving a compliment can be deeply triggering, especially for trauma survivors. It can touch off a great deal of anxiety and fear.
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How do parents cause low self-esteem?

When parents are over-involved, their excessive control over how their children define themselves in the world provides few opportunities for the child to self-reflect and have his or her own positive thoughts and feelings. In both cases, the development of self-confidence and self-esteem are compromised.
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