.Do you think if a person is ridiculed alot it can cause them to become very shy and introverted?

Question

My cousin is 26 years of age and she is very introverted, shy, and have very low self-esteem. She didn't become this way until she got in middle school. This is also around the same time people started to tease and make fun of her. This type of behavior from people have continued to go on all the way up until now. So even as an adult she is still very introverted. So is so introverted that she is afraid talk in front of people for fear that they are going to ridicule her because people make fun of her very slow speech. Someone please give me some advice on how i can help my cousin? And serious answers only please. I don't have time for sarcasm.

Answer 1

Yeah, that is most likely the cause of it. Sometimes when people are made fun of they retrieve into this little box where they feel safe. She is probably afraid to be more extroverted because she thinks people will make fun of her. I think the only way you can really help her is to tell her that she is worth something and point out all her good qualities and have her do the same. Have her tell you all the things she likes about herself to raise her self-esteem. You might also want to come up with a personal mantra from her, like "I am a strong, intelligent, beautiful person" or something like that. Apart from that, just talk to her and make her feel good about herself.

Answer 2

People can be so mean, so mean that they can actually kill a person's spirit.

If I could suggest anything to you to help your cousin, it would be:

1. Firstly, it's important for your cousin to try and ignore any negative comments. I realize it's easier said than done (been there, done that), but sometimes it takes time and we all have to work on understanding that what other people have to say, especially when it's negative, doesn't really matter. Regardless of what we do, there is always going to be someone there disagreeing with the choice we have made. The fact is, we can't please everyone. As long as she knows who she is, that's all that matters in the long run. Don't let these creeps win! Show'em what you're made of!

2. Secondly, she could work on building her self-confidence by getting involved with something that emphasizes and accentuates her strengths (something she enjoys doing).

3. As long as your cousin learns to love herself and exudes confidence, people will have no choice but to love and respect her back. It has to come from within.

You have to love and respect yourself before anyone else can.

Definitely easier said than done and it takes work, but she can do it!

Good luck to you and your cousin!

Answer 3

Sure, lots of ridicule in youth can cause a person to become withdrawn and depressed. She may need some counseling to get over the issues so she can proceed with a normal and happy life. She needs to be reassured that not all people are like the jerks she knew in middle school. Please tell her to get help now. She has alot of life left and her current behavior will jeopardize her career and social life.

Answer 4

You described it perfectly. You can help by making her speak for herself and not speaking for her. The more she practices the more self-respect and confidence she'll gain. It's not going to happen over night. Now, I'd like to think that adults aren't going to ridicule her. By adults I mean mature, thoughtful people. People who think before they speak. This isn't always true, so make sure you're choosing battles wisely, at least until she starts to open up. Let her know you're there to help and (if its true) will do anything for her. Perhaps speech therapy may help as well. Good luck!

Answer 5

I'm sorry that this happened. Perhaps joining a group that talks about their problems. And helps each other with getting over them. She may find that yes, you can have a social problem (And that's all this is) and still be normal. She also needs to know that all of those idiots who gave her a bad time when she was young, had their own problems. Actually rather ugly problems. By making themselves feel stronger by hurting others. Perhaps by pitying them for their weaknesses, she can feel better about herself. Tell her by getting over this, she can help others who have gone through the same thing.

Maybe she is the only one who is fully qualified to help. A beautiful butterfly hatching from a rough cocoon helping others.

Answer 6

She's lucky to have such a caring cousin like you. Yes you're right on the ridiculed part. Tell her to study martial arts in any clubs or associations. Over there they'll help her to get rid of her fear and it'll help her to re gain her self confidence. You'll be so surprised!

Answer 7

You sound like a wonderful person. You are reaching out to help her. You are the good people out there.
Just encourage her, to avoid ridiculing people. Even if it's her family. That's the best way not to encourage them. The people who do this are making her a victim. Talk to her and encourage her that you have faith in her. I think the best thing to tell her is to forgive these outspoken people who are rude. Last but not least I have prayed for her healing and for her to be blessed. She must be around people like you. It's no good to hang around rude behavior. Putting people down as you know only causes the victim to be overly shy. But sometimes it pays off. She needs to learn to love herself and forgive these absurd people.

Answer 8

Yes, of course, ridicule can cause people to withdraw into silence. Human beings are mean by nature. Has your cousin worked with a speech therapist?

Answer 9

that's a serious problem yes but i have had that problem i was sexually abused and was afraid to tell my mom for 3 years some are afraid for longer, u need to dig deeper into her mind, and give her loads of positive thinking, find a tv or movie star pic that she resembles and let her know she looks like her.

Answer 10

Have her take Assertiveness Class and Public Speaking. Good luck!