India, Aug. 11 -- Ever walked into a room and immediately become hyperaware of how you look, sound or behave? You adjust your posture, carefully choose your words and later replay conversations in your head, wondering whether people noticed something awkward you said.

Licensed therapist Amanda E. White shared in an August 5 Instagram post why we may be overestimating how much other people notice or remember about us. She explained the idea through what psychologists call the spotlight effect, our tendency to overestimate how much attention others pay to us. (Also read: Therapist explains how this overlooked childhood experience can affect your relationships for years )

"You walk into a room and immediately start performing," White wrote...