Am I suffering from a fear of rejection? Take the test at the private practice of online psychologist Patric Pförtner.
Psychologist Patric Pförtner

Patric Pförtner

M.Sc. Psychologist, Doctoral Researcher

Test: Fear of Rejection

Do you feel restricted in life by your fear of rejection? Do you experience any form of criticism as especially distressing? Our test can help you understand the role that fear of rejection plays in your life.

Typical signs of excessive fear of rejection can include:

  • excessive adaptation to others out of fear of negative reactions,
  • social withdrawal and avoidance of interpersonal situations,
  • intense emotional reactions to criticism or perceived rejection.

With this test you can reflect on how strongly the fear of rejection is influencing your life. Please note that this test does not replace a professional diagnosis.

Originally written in German — read the original here: Angst vor Ablehnung.

Fear of Rejection Test: 15 Questions

All questions refer to the last 14 days. The answer options are scaled like a grading system — the first option counts as one point, the last as five. Choose one answer per question and click Evaluate Now at the end.

1. Do you often think about whether others perceive you positively?

2. Do you strive to always deliver perfect results in order to gain approval?

3. Do you avoid making demands for fear of triggering conflict?

4. Do you prefer the familiar, because the new could carry risks such as embarrassment?

5. Do you rarely share your opinion because you fear that others might disagree?

6. Do you find it difficult to approach others because you believe they might not be interested in you?

7. Do you hold back your true thoughts and feelings to avoid rejection?

8. Do you often give in to demands because you are afraid that others might distance themselves from you?

9. Do you rarely express your wishes directly, fearing they might be rejected?

10. Do you try to align as much as possible with the expectations of others to avoid conflict?

11. Do you place harmony in relationships above your own needs?

12. Do you prefer to stay in the background so as not to draw attention to yourself?

13. Do you often consider how others might think about your behaviour or decisions?

14. Do you mull over the words of others for a long time, looking for possible hidden meanings?

15. In conversations, do you closely watch others' reactions to figure out what they might think of you?

This online screening is not a diagnostic tool. Only a trained medical professional — such as a doctor, psychiatrist or psychotherapist — can advise you on the next steps.

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"Most arguments aren't the argument you think you're having."
"Trust doesn't grow through words. It grows through repetition."
"A strong relationship isn't one without conflict — it's one where you find your way back."
Psychologist Patric Pförtner is a registered full member of the BDP

Quality seal for psychological counselling awarded by the Professional Association of German Psychologists (BDP).

 Registered full member of the BDP

Registered full member of the Professional Association of German Psychologists (BDP).

 Online psychological counselling quality seal

For my work, the BDP has awarded me the "Counselling by Psychologists" quality mark.