criticism that wasn't actually there

[unpakwon]

I'm not sure of what the following in red is saying. What kind of criticism is it?

Before anything else, Jerry checked himself. He knew that he was sensitive about IT---it was his baby---and that he sometimes heard criticism that wan't actually there. He checked his Complainer tendencies and committed to stay mature.

Thank you.

[5jj]

It means that he imagined the criticism.

[unpakwon]

I see.

Thank you.