Do you think you are the dumbest creature on the planet?

[NightTimeForever]

I have been feeling this way for quite some time. I perceive myself as completely stupid, and I also can't help thinking that since this thought occurred to me, there must be at least an undercurrent of truth to it.

I want to be just like everyone else.

Anyone else feel this way?

 

[JuiceB]

*raises hand*

For some reason I didn't catch on to certain things in life until much later on, so yeah.

 

[laure15]

Me three!!! For the past 5 years, I've felt this way because of so many people calling me stupid. When so many people keep gossiping about my stupidity and even calling me stupid in front of my face, I'm beginning to think maybe I am, and I don't deserve to be a doctor, pharmacist, or whatever. I am slow (mentally and physically) when I'm around people because they make me feel very nervous, but when I'm alone, I feel smarter and think faster.

 

[Lowlight]

I consider myself somewhat unintelligent. I’m not very book smart, but that only upsets me to a point. I don’t have much life experience either so I don’t know a lot of things most people know.

What I do have is an understanding of myself and my nature. I have a strong sense of what is right and wrong with an insight into how I should treat people. I have done plenty of introspection and have simplified my life in many ways. I have tried to shed my ego as much as possible, so I’m not embarrassed of my lack of knowledge.

So what if you are not intelligent. That shouldn’t keep you from loving yourself and your life.

 

[truffleshuffle]

Well having learning disabilitys I quite often feel like the dumbest person in the room or the planet for that matter. It always takes me awhile to catch onto things and absorb the infromation.

 

[laure15]

I consider myself somewhat unintelligent. I’m not very book smart, but that only upsets me to a point. I don’t have much life experience either so I don’t know a lot of things most people know.

What I do have is an understanding of myself and my nature. I have a strong sense of what is right and wrong with an insight into how I should treat people. I have done plenty of introspection and have simplified my life in many ways. I have tried to shed my ego as much as possible, so I’m not embarrassed of my lack of knowledge.

So what if you are not intelligent. That shouldn’t keep you from loving yourself and your life.

You make a great point here. Intelligence isn't everything.

 

[S_Spartan]

I would bet that everyone on this thread is more intelligent than they think they are.
I used to feel this way though so I understand it well. The only thing that helped me was age. I didn't start to realize my own "smarts" until my late 30s. Not that I'm a successful person. Another thing I learned is that intelligence does not always equal success.

 

[NightTimeForever]

So what if you are not intelligent. That shouldn’t keep you from loving yourself and your life.

I think this proves that people easily believe what you perceive yourself to be. I've been called book smart, I just don't believe it, and probably never will.

No matter how many As I receive, I still feel like the biggest idiot the world has ever seen. I think there is a psychological need to at least perceive oneself as competent. It's probably why I'm so depressed.

Whatever, I'm tired and will resume this tomorrow.

 

[KiaKaha]

....... Dur?

 

[crazycatlady27]

yeah me too, i am as dumb as a post most of the time

 

[sullyS25]

No I don't ever feel that way. I feel this post is very extreme and even a way of calling out for attention. Sorry for my bluntness but that's how I feel.

People feeling sorry for you is over rated. I know this because that's all i used to seek was to be the worst of the worst and portray the image that I was worse than anyone. Did my life change? NO.

I know it is very hard to get out of this way of thinking, I understand completely but read what the name of this post is: "Do you think you are the dumbest creature on this planet?" That is so extreme. Fish are creatures on this planet are you telling me a fish is smarter than you? If you truly are sooo dumb then how did you manage to sign up for this forum and start this thread because I can assure you that there are people on this planet that have absolutely no idea how to do that.

I understand the tendency to take things to the extreme but I refuse to validate this feeling because it is so irrational. I have no doubt you might feel dumber than people at certain times but guess what, everyone experiences that. Every time we compare ourselves to others we will find someone better, smarter or stronger than us because that is how the brain of someone with serious social fears operates.

 

[KiaKaha]

^ Am I going to have to explain this concept to you again? If you are so frustrated with people expressing themselves, maybe you should just go somewhere else - or even better, just not respond to the specific threads that infuriate you so much.

 

[crazycatlady27]

errrrr i dont feel sorry for myself and i dont expect anyone to feel sorry for me

 

[KiaKaha]

Didn't you know...? This being an anxiety/depression forum we are all supposed to look on the bright side of life and think everything is wonderful. There is a serious lack of patience with people on this forum.

 

[sullyS25]

I have just as much of a right to explain myself as anyone else and it looks like you are very frustrated to see an opinion that varies from the norm so maybe we should both practice tolerance. I dont recall saying we had to look on the bright side of life nor did I say we have to think everything is wonderful. I merely pointed out how irrational this post was. I even identified with what he said by saying I too have experienced thoughts of self-pity and self-loathing. This thought in particular is blown way out of proportion and I am here to point that out.

Go ahead and post what you want, I dont recall saying that people shouldn't post these things. When they do though, I certainly will offer my point of view and not coddle him....The dumbest creature on the planet? If you dont think that is an irrational thought then you too must have some healing to do.

 

[gazelle]

I understand the tendency to take things to the extreme but I refuse to validate this feeling because it is so irrational.

I agree with this. There's a vogue of self deprecation and getting attention on this forum. Which I think is wrong and not because it's infuriating , but because the attention that one might get as a result of self deprecation is more likely to do harm to that person since it can result in some sort of cognitive pattern which can lead to that person doing it in real life also.
And to be honest poeple in real life don't buy that they'll only think of you as being weak even if they sympathize. Don't get me wrong I mean if it's discussing your problems and letting them out or using other poeple's experience to solve your problems it's completely ok, but going to the extreme of calling yourself the dumbest creature on the planet won't solve any problem.

 

[KiaKaha]

Sure. You could say it a little nicer though. I totally am aware that it's out of proportion, but your advice is lacking any empathy and is not taking into account why he made the post in the first place. Do you honestly think that any point of view you wish to express to people that they will respond in a positive way when it appears you are simply berating him for making the post in the first place. Why would anyone take anything from your post when it completely negates the feelings behind the poster thoughts? It seems to me, your frustration with the way people put their feelings across is more paramount than actually tackling the problem itself.

 

[KiaKaha]

I agree with this. There's a vogue of self deprecation and getting attention on this forum. Which I think is wrong and not because it's infuriating , but because the attention that one might get as a result of self deprecation is more likely to do harm to that person since it can result in some sort of cognitive pattern which can lead to that person doing it in real life also.
And to be honest poeple in real life don't buy that they'll only think of you as being weak even if they sympathize. Don't get me wrong I mean if it's discussing your problems and letting them out or using other poeple's experience to solve your problems it's completely ok, but going to the extreme of calling yourself the dumbest creature on the planet won't solve any problem.

No I disagree. I think there is a very distinct line between coddling and helping, which I don't think is being understood here. Enabling is certainly disempowering - is this poster the dumbest creature on the planet? No of course he isn't - but that is the way that he feels. Normalizing and giving some semblance of understanding to his feelings - is NOT enabling. It is showing that the way that he feels is important and valid. Discarding by saying "oh please" etc is just simply... unhelpful.

 

[sullyS25]

Well thank you for the advice, that is why I express my opinion on here because I am not perfect either. I also need to grow in that area you speak of, communication. Now if you want to turn that around on yourself and ask yourself how your initial responses to me was full of frustration as well and maybe you too need some work in that area then that is up to you...

I personally appreciate you pointing out to me what I could not see. Thank you

 

[Flanscho]

Nope, I'm not dumb. A good amount of my friends are more intelligent I guess, but I'm not dumb.