{"formatVersion":"1.1","id":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/answers/feeling-fragile","path":"/answers/feeling-fragile","url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/answers/feeling-fragile","title":"Why am I so fragile?","family":"Answers detail","description":"A reader feels close to tears after even mildly rude or condescending comments and is finding work increasingly difficult.","language":"en-US","access":{"audience":"custom-shared-preview","indexable":true},"provenance":{"sourceUrl":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/feeling-fragile","wordpressId":"6111","contentCompleteness":"complete","dateScope":"original-source"},"authors":[{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/people/mark-dombeck#person","name":"Mark Vigil Dombeck, Ph.D.","url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/people/mark-dombeck"}],"reviewer":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/people/jesse-hanson#person","name":"Jesse Hanson, Ph.D.","url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/people/jesse-hanson"},"dates":{"datePublished":"2025-07-15T20:17:32Z","dateModified":"2026-05-24T14:29:50Z","lastReviewed":"2025-09-15"},"content":{"html":"<nav class=\"breadcrumbs\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumb\"><ol><li><a href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/\">Home</a></li><li><a href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/answers\">Answers</a></li><li><span aria-current=\"page\">Why am I so fragile?</span></li></ol></nav><div class=\"article-page answer-page\" data-answer-template=\"conversation\"><header class=\"answer-heading article-heading\"><a class=\"answer-back\" href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/answers\">Answers</a><h1>Why am I so fragile?</h1><div class=\"answer-credits\"><a class=\"answer-credit-person\" href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/people/mark-dombeck\"><img src=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/assets/wordpress/9364.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" loading=\"lazy\"><span><span class=\"answer-credit-role\">Written by</span><span class=\"answer-credit-name\">Mark Vigil Dombeck, Ph.D.</span></span></a><a class=\"answer-credit-person\" href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/people/jesse-hanson\"><img src=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/assets/wordpress/9210.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" loading=\"lazy\"><span><span class=\"answer-credit-role\">Medically reviewed by</span><span class=\"answer-credit-name\">Jesse Hanson, Ph.D.</span></span></a></div><dl class=\"answer-heading-dates\"><div><dt>Published</dt><dd><time datetime=\"2025-07-15T20:17:32Z\">July 15, 2025</time></dd></div><div><dt>Updated</dt><dd><time datetime=\"2026-05-24T14:29:50Z\">May 24, 2026</time></dd></div><div><dt>Reviewed</dt><dd><time datetime=\"2025-09-15\">September 15, 2025</time></dd></div></dl></header><nav class=\"answer-nav\" aria-label=\"Answer navigation\"><a href=\"#summary\">Summary</a><a href=\"#question\">Question</a><a href=\"#answer\">Answer</a></nav><article class=\"prose\" id=\"article-content\" data-answer-thread aria-label=\"Reader question and professional response\"><section class=\"answer-overview\" id=\"summary\" aria-labelledby=\"summary-title\"><h2 id=\"summary-title\">Summary</h2><figure class=\"answer-question-image\"><img src=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/assets/answers/feeling-fragile-20261003.webp\" alt=\"An adult taking a quiet break beside an office window\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" fetchpriority=\"high\"></figure><p>A reader feels close to tears after even mildly rude or condescending comments and is finding work increasingly difficult. They ask where the sensitivity might come from and how to regain balance.</p><p>The response offers several possible contributors, including mood, temperament, past relationships, and coping skills, rather than identifying a single explanation.</p><p>It suggests a medical consultation to explore contributing factors, along with assertiveness training, stress-management skills, and everyday self-care that may support emotional steadiness.</p></section><div class=\"answer-originals\" id=\"original-conversation\"><div class=\"answer-originals-body\"><section class=\"answer-post answer-question\" id=\"question\" aria-labelledby=\"question-person\"><div class=\"answer-avatar answer-reader\" aria-hidden=\"true\">?</div><div class=\"answer-post-content\"><header class=\"answer-person\"><h2 id=\"question-person\">Question</h2><span>Reader · Identity withheld</span></header><p>Every time someone says something even slightly rude or condescending, I feel like I’m on the verge of tears. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to function at work. </p>\n<p>I don’t understand where this sensitivity is coming from! How can I regain my sense of balance and feel like myself again?</p></div></section><section class=\"answer-post answer-response\" id=\"answer\" aria-labelledby=\"response-person\"><a class=\"answer-avatar\" href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/people/mark-dombeck\" aria-label=\"View Mark Vigil Dombeck, Ph.D. profile\"><img src=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/assets/wordpress/9364.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"44\" height=\"44\" loading=\"lazy\"></a><div class=\"answer-post-content\"><header class=\"answer-person\"><h2 id=\"response-person\">Answer</h2><span>Mark Vigil Dombeck, Ph.D.</span></header><p>There are a number of possible reasons why you may be feeling so thin-skinned. You may have an ‘illness’ like a <a href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/library/depressive-disorders\" class=\"article-inline-link\">mild depression</a>, you may have some biological/genetic disposition or temperament that leads you to be more emotional than others, you may have experienced a difficult relationship history, or have even been abused, or you may have never learned appropriate coping and assertiveness skills. It may be a combination of any of these possibilities and others I’ve not thought of.</p>\n<p>Whatever the reasons for your reactivity, you may benefit from some or all of the following remediation ideas.</p>\n<p>First, you may <a href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/library/medication-for-generalized-anxiety-disorder\" class=\"article-inline-link\">benefit from medication</a>. Just about any doctor can prescribe you some anti-anxiety or anti-depressant medication which might help. It’s probably worth consulting a doctor about your emotionality difficulty anyway just to rule out any physical issue that might be a contributing factor. Be warned however, that insurance companies may discriminate against you in the future if you get on psychiatric medication now.</p>\n<p>Second, it would be a good idea to explore assertiveness training and general coping-with-stress skills. Many therapists can offer you coping and <a href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/library/assertiveness-training\" class=\"article-inline-link\">assertiveness training programs</a>, or you can find good books on the subject in many book stores.</p>\n<p>General things you might do to take care of yourself can also benefit you emotionally (such as exercise, yoga classes and massage, etc.)</p>\n<p>Good luck in your explorations!</p></div></section></div></div></article><div class=\"answer-endmatter\"><section class=\"article-expert answer-expert-card\" aria-label=\"Subject matter expert\" data-expert-kind=\"related\"><a class=\"answer-card-avatar\" href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/people/carlos-protzel\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><img src=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/assets/wordpress/13152.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"64\" height=\"64\" loading=\"lazy\"></a><div class=\"answer-expert-copy\"><p class=\"article-bio-role\">Subject matter expert</p><h2><a href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/people/carlos-protzel\">Carlos Protzel <span class=\"expert-credentials\">Psy.D.</span></a></h2><p class=\"article-expert-focus\">Integrative mental health care</p><a class=\"profile-experience-link experience-button\" href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/people/carlos-protzel\">View experience</a></div></section><section class=\"article-topic-community\" aria-label=\"Related communities\"><img class=\"topic-community-banner\" src=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/assets/library/editorial-9900.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" loading=\"lazy\"><p class=\"topic-community-label\">Related communities</p><h2>Emotional Health</h2><p>Explore feelings, self-awareness, and the emotional experiences that shape everyday life.</p><a href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/community/emotional-health\">Explore community</a></section><section class=\"answer-author-card answer-reviewer-card\"><a class=\"answer-card-avatar\" href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/people/mark-dombeck\"><img src=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/assets/wordpress/9364.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"64\" height=\"64\" loading=\"lazy\"></a><div><span class=\"answer-reviewer-label\">Author</span><h2><a href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/people/mark-dombeck\">Mark Vigil Dombeck, Ph.D.</a></h2><p>Mark Vigil Dombeck, Ph.D. is a trauma-informed psychologist with over 30 years of experience helping people navigate mental health challenges.</p><a href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/people/mark-dombeck\" class=\"profile-experience-link experience-button\">View experience</a></div></section><section class=\"answer-author-card answer-reviewer-card\"><a class=\"answer-card-avatar\" href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/people/jesse-hanson\"><img src=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/assets/wordpress/9210.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"64\" height=\"64\" loading=\"lazy\"></a><div><span class=\"answer-reviewer-label\">Medical reviewer</span><h2><a href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/people/jesse-hanson\">Jesse Hanson, Ph.D.</a></h2><p>Jesse Hanson, Ph.D., is a clinical and somatic psychologist with over 20 years of experience in neuropsychology, specializing in integrative, mind-body…</p><a href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/people/jesse-hanson\" class=\"profile-experience-link experience-button\">View experience</a></div></section><section class=\"answer-related\"><h2>Related questions</h2><a href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/answers/will-my-boyfriend-eventually-hit-me\">Will my boyfriend eventually hit me?</a><a href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/answers/will-i-ever-feel-normal\">Will I ever feel normal?</a><a href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/answers/wife-of-21-years-has-a-boyfriend\">Why does my wife of 21 years have a boyfriend?</a></section></div></div>","text":"HomeAnswersWhy am I so fragile?AnswersWhy am I so fragile?Written byMark Vigil Dombeck, Ph.D.Medically reviewed byJesse Hanson, Ph.D.PublishedJuly 15, 2025UpdatedMay 24, 2026ReviewedSeptember 15, 2025SummaryQuestionAnswerSummaryA reader feels close to tears after even mildly rude or condescending comments and is finding work increasingly difficult. They ask where the sensitivity might come from and how to regain balance.The response offers several possible contributors, including mood, temperament, past relationships, and coping skills, rather than identifying a single explanation.It suggests a medical consultation to explore contributing factors, along with assertiveness training, stress-management skills, and everyday self-care that may support emotional steadiness.?QuestionReader · Identity withheldEvery time someone says something even slightly rude or condescending, I feel like I’m on the verge of tears. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to function at work. I don’t understand where this sensitivity is coming from! How can I regain my sense of balance and feel like myself again?AnswerMark Vigil Dombeck, Ph.D.There are a number of possible reasons why you may be feeling so thin-skinned. You may have an ‘illness’ like a mild depression, you may have some biological/genetic disposition or temperament that leads you to be more emotional than others, you may have experienced a difficult relationship history, or have even been abused, or you may have never learned appropriate coping and assertiveness skills. It may be a combination of any of these possibilities and others I’ve not thought of. Whatever the reasons for your reactivity, you may benefit from some or all of the following remediation ideas. First, you may benefit from medication. Just about any doctor can prescribe you some anti-anxiety or anti-depressant medication which might help. It’s probably worth consulting a doctor about your emotionality difficulty anyway just to rule out any physical issue that might be a contributing factor. Be warned however, that insurance companies may discriminate against you in the future if you get on psychiatric medication now. Second, it would be a good idea to explore assertiveness training and general coping-with-stress skills. Many therapists can offer you coping and assertiveness training programs, or you can find good books on the subject in many book stores. General things you might do to take care of yourself can also benefit you emotionally (such as exercise, yoga classes and massage, etc.) Good luck in your explorations!Subject matter expertCarlos Protzel Psy.D.Integrative mental health careView experienceRelated communitiesEmotional HealthExplore feelings, self-awareness, and the emotional experiences that shape everyday life.Explore communityAuthorMark Vigil Dombeck, Ph.D.Mark Vigil Dombeck, Ph.D. is a trauma-informed psychologist with over 30 years of experience helping people navigate mental health challenges.View experienceMedical reviewerJesse Hanson, Ph.D.Jesse Hanson, Ph.D., is a clinical and somatic psychologist with over 20 years of experience in neuropsychology, specializing in integrative, mind-body…View experienceRelated questionsWill my boyfriend eventually hit me?Will I ever feel normal?Why does my wife of 21 years have a boyfriend?","wordCount":464},"schema":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/#organization","name":"MentalHealth.com","url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/"},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/#website","url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/","name":"MentalHealth.com","inLanguage":"en-US","publisher":{"@id":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/#organization"}},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/answers/feeling-fragile#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Answers","item":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/answers"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Why am I so fragile?","item":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/answers/feeling-fragile"}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/answers/feeling-fragile#primaryimage","url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/assets/answers/feeling-fragile-20261003.webp","contentUrl":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/assets/answers/feeling-fragile-20261003.webp","width":1000,"height":667,"encodingFormat":"image/webp","caption":"An adult taking a quiet break beside an office window"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/people/mark-dombeck#person","name":"Mark Vigil Dombeck, Ph.D.","url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/people/mark-dombeck","jobTitle":"Doctor","image":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/assets/wordpress/9364.jpg","sameAs":["https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-dombeck-phd-530a573/"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/people/jesse-hanson#person","name":"Jesse Hanson, Ph.D.","url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/people/jesse-hanson","jobTitle":"Clinical Affairs Director","image":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/assets/wordpress/9210.jpg","sameAs":["https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-hanson-phd-7215216/"]},{"@type":"Article","@id":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/answers/feeling-fragile#article","url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/answers/feeling-fragile","headline":"Why am I so fragile?","description":"A reader feels close to tears after even mildly rude or condescending comments and is finding work increasingly difficult.","wordCount":363,"mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/answers/feeling-fragile#webpage"},"publisher":{"@id":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/#organization"},"articleSection":"Answers","inLanguage":"en-US","datePublished":"2025-07-15T20:17:32Z","dateModified":"2026-05-24T14:29:50Z","author":[{"@id":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/people/mark-dombeck#person"}],"image":{"@id":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/answers/feeling-fragile#primaryimage"},"hasPart":[{"@id":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/answers/feeling-fragile#question"},{"@id":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/answers/feeling-fragile#answer"}]},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/answers/feeling-fragile#question","name":"Why am I so fragile?","text":"Every time someone says something even slightly rude or condescending, I feel like I’m on the verge of tears. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to function at work. I don’t understand where this sensitivity is coming from! How can I regain my sense of balance and feel like myself again?","acceptedAnswer":{"@id":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/answers/feeling-fragile#answer"},"inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/answers/feeling-fragile#question","answerCount":1},{"@type":"Answer","@id":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/answers/feeling-fragile#answer","text":"There are a number of possible reasons why you may be feeling so thin-skinned. You may have an ‘illness’ like a mild depression, you may have some biological/genetic disposition or temperament that leads you to be more emotional than others, you may have experienced a difficult relationship history, or have even been abused, or you may have never learned appropriate coping and assertiveness skills. It may be a combination of any of these possibilities and others I’ve not thought of. Whatever the reasons for your reactivity, you may benefit from some or all of the following remediation ideas. First, you may benefit from medication. Just about any doctor can prescribe you some anti-anxiety or anti-depressant medication which might help. It’s probably worth consulting a doctor about your emotionality difficulty anyway just to rule out any physical issue that might be a contributing factor. Be warned however, that insurance companies may discriminate against you in the future if you get on psychiatric medication now. Second, it would be a good idea to explore assertiveness training and general coping-with-stress skills. Many therapists can offer you coping and assertiveness training programs, or you can find good books on the subject in many book stores. General things you might do to take care of yourself can also benefit you emotionally (such as exercise, yoga classes and massage, etc.) Good luck in your explorations!","author":{"@id":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/people/mark-dombeck#person"},"inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/answers/feeling-fragile#answer"},{"@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/answers/feeling-fragile#webpage","url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/answers/feeling-fragile","name":"Why am I so fragile?","description":"A reader feels close to tears after even mildly rude or condescending comments and is finding work increasingly 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Ph.D."},{"url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/people/jesse-hanson","label":"View experience"},{"url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/answers/will-my-boyfriend-eventually-hit-me","label":"Will my boyfriend eventually hit me?"},{"url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/answers/will-i-ever-feel-normal","label":"Will I ever feel normal?"},{"url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/answers/wife-of-21-years-has-a-boyfriend","label":"Why does my wife of 21 years have a boyfriend?"}],"conversation":{"status":"complete","summary":{"question":"A reader feels close to tears after even mildly rude or condescending comments and is finding work increasingly difficult. They ask where the sensitivity might come from and how to regain balance.","answer":"The response offers several possible contributors, including mood, temperament, past relationships, and coping skills, rather than identifying a single explanation. It suggests a medical consultation to explore contributing factors, along with assertiveness training, stress-management skills, and everyday self-care that may support emotional steadiness."},"sourceUrl":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/feeling-fragile","sourceReviewer":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/people/jesse-hanson#person","name":"Jesse Hanson, Ph.D.","url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/people/jesse-hanson"},"question":{"id":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/answers/feeling-fragile#question","url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/answers/feeling-fragile#question","html":"<p>Every time someone says something even slightly rude or condescending, I feel like I’m on the verge of tears. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to function at work. </p>\n<p>I don’t understand where this sensitivity is coming from! How can I regain my sense of balance and feel like myself again?</p>","text":"Every time someone says something even slightly rude or condescending, I feel like I’m on the verge of tears. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to function at work. I don’t understand where this sensitivity is coming from! How can I regain my sense of balance and feel like myself again?"},"answer":{"id":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/answers/feeling-fragile#answer","url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/answers/feeling-fragile#answer","html":"<p>There are a number of possible reasons why you may be feeling so thin-skinned. You may have an ‘illness’ like a <a href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/library/depressive-disorders\">mild depression</a>, you may have some biological/genetic disposition or temperament that leads you to be more emotional than others, you may have experienced a difficult relationship history, or have even been abused, or you may have never learned appropriate coping and assertiveness skills. It may be a combination of any of these possibilities and others I’ve not thought of.</p>\n<p>Whatever the reasons for your reactivity, you may benefit from some or all of the following remediation ideas.</p>\n<p>First, you may <a href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/library/medication-for-generalized-anxiety-disorder\">benefit from medication</a>. Just about any doctor can prescribe you some anti-anxiety or anti-depressant medication which might help. It’s probably worth consulting a doctor about your emotionality difficulty anyway just to rule out any physical issue that might be a contributing factor. Be warned however, that insurance companies may discriminate against you in the future if you get on psychiatric medication now.</p>\n<p>Second, it would be a good idea to explore assertiveness training and general coping-with-stress skills. Many therapists can offer you coping and <a href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/library/assertiveness-training\">assertiveness training programs</a>, or you can find good books on the subject in many book stores.</p>\n<p>General things you might do to take care of yourself can also benefit you emotionally (such as exercise, yoga classes and massage, etc.)</p>\n<p>Good luck in your explorations!</p>","text":"There are a number of possible reasons why you may be feeling so thin-skinned. You may have an ‘illness’ like a mild depression, you may have some biological/genetic disposition or temperament that leads you to be more emotional than others, you may have experienced a difficult relationship history, or have even been abused, or you may have never learned appropriate coping and assertiveness skills. It may be a combination of any of these possibilities and others I’ve not thought of. Whatever the reasons for your reactivity, you may benefit from some or all of the following remediation ideas. First, you may benefit from medication. Just about any doctor can prescribe you some anti-anxiety or anti-depressant medication which might help. It’s probably worth consulting a doctor about your emotionality difficulty anyway just to rule out any physical issue that might be a contributing factor. Be warned however, that insurance companies may discriminate against you in the future if you get on psychiatric medication now. Second, it would be a good idea to explore assertiveness training and general coping-with-stress skills. Many therapists can offer you coping and assertiveness training programs, or you can find good books on the subject in many book stores. General things you might do to take care of yourself can also benefit you emotionally (such as exercise, yoga classes and massage, etc.) Good luck in your explorations!","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/people/mark-dombeck#person","name":"Mark Vigil Dombeck, Ph.D.","url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/people/mark-dombeck"}},"summaryScope":"Editorial overview of the original question and response; original review dates apply to the source conversation."},"presentation":{"updatedAt":"2026-10-03","template":"answer-conversation","imageGeneratedAt":"2026-10-03"},"seo":{"title":"Why am I so fragile? | MentalHealth.com","description":"A reader feels close to tears after even mildly rude or condescending comments and is finding work increasingly difficult.","canonical":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/answers/feeling-fragile","robots":"index,follow","socialImage":{"url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/assets/social-tiles-20261006-dots/answers.png","width":1200,"height":630,"alt":"MentalHealth.com — Answers","type":"image/png","sitemapGroup":"answers"}},"subjectMatterExpert":{"name":"Carlos Protzel, Psy.D.","url":"/people/carlos-protzel","profileId":"13151","topic":"wellbeing","focus":"Integrative mental health care","selectionBasis":"Documented expertise in the existing published profile","reviewAttribution":false},"navigation":[],"relatedCommunity":{"community":"/community/emotional-health","basis":"topic match"},"collections":[]}