1. Do you experience sudden, intense bouts of rage when your feelings are hurt?
2. Do you experience sudden, intense bouts of extreme sadness when you think you have been rejected or criticized?
3. Are you your own harshest critic?
4. Do you feel anxious in social situations because you assume that no one likes you?
5. Do you consider yourself a “people pleaser,” going above and beyond to get on someone’s good side?
6. Do you pass up opportunities or avoid starting projects because you’re afraid you’ll fail?
7. Have you been called “overly sensitive” or a “head case” because of your strong emotional reactions?
8. Do you dedicate more time than is necessary to a project or become perfectionistic to make sure your work has no mistakes (and is above reproach)?
9. Do you ever experience your emotions as a physical sensation, as though you’ve been punched in the chest or physically “wounded?”
10. Do you feel shame about the “lack of control” you have over your emotions?
11. Have you been told you might have a mood disorder? A borderline character disorder?
12. Do you shy away from close friendships or romantic relationships, because you worry that if people “know the real you,” they won’t like you?
13. Do you assume the worst in commonplace interactions — worrying you will be fired every time your boss calls you in to her office, for instance?
14. Do you think that you cannot go on feeling this way?
15. Do you avoid meeting new people or trying new things because your fear of rejection and criticism is so strong?