If you hit my insecurities, i will disappear till regeneration is complete.
But good luck hitting them, you will need it.
Insecurity is a somewhat specific emotional trigger, that activates a sort of sharp sadness directed at one's perceived or actual inadequacy, which typically starts self-directed anger and/or reinforces above mentioned sadness; anger in turn gets redirected at the offender and sadness then becomes something to protect desperately, so that it doesn't grow. This results in a defensive or offensive reaction, or a mix of both. Obviously, sign of any emotion will betray an insecurity (button, weakness, etc), whereas a cold counter-attack is more likely to be an opportunistic probe for further insecurities. You can't always capitalize on this in public, but that's a different subject altogether.
This question may show a twist of insecurity into paranoia:
Anyone in their pursuit of quenching insecurities ever set up "straw men" around insecurities? Either fully fabricate and interrelate certain characteristics of a false issue of insecurity, or otherwise skewing one into exaggeration, with or without sufficient plausibility, in order to have false targets.
Do you ever spill the beans to garner sympathy and sneak other problems under cover of it? EDIT: It doesn't have to be sympathy, either, I guess. Otherwise lead away with a distraction.
We went our seperate ways once we graduated college a few years ago. He out of nowhere blocked my Facebook after some drama I had almost no part in, then tried to play it off like nothing happened when others brought it up later. From the sound of it there was still a little tension.
Last I heard of him, he wasn't up to anything noteworthy. I ought to see about checking up on him sometime in case that's changed. His drunken rant about wanting me and my father dead was pretty classic (after losing a debate with him about guitars, feeling threatened by his black belts despite that having no relevance at all), and he even made the mistake of telling someone he referred to openly as my "henchman", treating him like less-than a person because of it typically to the point of being blatantly insulting without just cause.
Naturally he and my former roomie told me about it the following day. He was super prone to nervous/aggressive addrenaline spikes, but how he handled them was a long-time running gag. His life had some rough patches, but his attacks made it hard to sympathize. I ended up his lightning rod for his issues, and every so often he'd ask himself "What the fuck am I doing?", but soon enough he'd regress even after the few times I tried being helpful. Me of all people in his head trying to help probably hurt more, save for one time that we put aside our differences to deal with a mutual threat.
So the insecurity is basically a weakness (real or not) that is communicated to the next person. And like I said it must be a pattern too, not just now and then.
See... finally I get an explanation.
I would mostly react with confusion if told I am insecure. Because I feel I have a good grip on what I am good and bad at and that in itself is a strength. I will not be as generous as you though and suggest what I'd rather not be called. ;)
An insecure person is who do not have confidence in their worth and capabilities; lacking of confidence in themselves or others.
Insecurity involves a subjective and arbitrary self-devaluation of the own ability of the person.
Insecurity can promote shyness, paranoia and social isolation or alternatively, may encourage compensatory behaviors such as arrogance, narcissism, or aggression.
Emotional Insecurity is a feeling of discomfort, nervousness or recklessness, a sense of vulnerability and instability that threatens self image.
Do not be confused with humility, which involves recognizing one's defects and mistakes, while maintaining a good dose of self-confidence.
Most human beings are vulnerable emotionally somehow, but emotional insecurity can be overcome. It takes time, patience, and tenacity.
Traits: shyness, paranoia, social isolation, arrogance, narcissism, aggression, and everything it entails.
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Edvard stated: source post
As far as insults go, it depends on each person how hard they take it. To me, being called a "coward" is much worse. I take it as a personal challenge to prove otherwise and act rashly with unpleasant consequences for both the provoker and myself.
Do you find yourself still reacting to that word in a negative manner, or have you changed knowing it won't end well for you both?