staring eyes

[masterflex]

I am unable to have "normal" eye contact with people.  Either I stare at people and they look away uncomfortably, or I don't look at them initially only to think "oh, time to give eye contact" and then I end up staring.  The thing is I have this staring problem only when I think about it.  And once I think about it, I can't unthink it.  I've had this for 3 months, but before that I was "normal" for 8 years.  I'm 32 now, and the fact that I stare makes me really anxious.  If I didn't have this problem, I'd be pretty happy (though I'm waiting to hear back from grad school, and I'd like to start dating again).  What's the deal with my eyes?  Given that my eyes connect me to the world, this worries me.  I suspect it is anxiety and that's why I posted here.

[ag156]

wow... I have been having this problem for last 20 years. I don't know if it is schizophrenia or just social anxiety to begin with but it has definitely led to severe anxiety related problem for me. It is in my mind all the time and the minute I try to make eye contact it is just that starring and does not feel normal eye contact. It is not just my feeling but it makes other person uncomfortable as well, the worst part of it. I have been searching diagnosis & treatment for this for last 20 years but not much help. I saw every docter that one possibly can think of. Psychiatric prescribed anti-depression medication. It worked for few months then docter prescribed different medicine but not much help then.

While gooling about a year ago, first time I read about eye starring problem related to schizophrenia. I saw a light in darkness but then have not read/heard about proven treatment yet. My experience with anti-depression medication is not good. It worsened my symptoms when medication stopped working.

I have been taking care of this problem barely to say by exercising, doing yoga & meditation. The day I miss these, I can not dare to look into eyes while conversing. Everyday I spent almost 1-1.5 hr every morning doing these just to barely go thru the day. I am very strong & an optimistic person and surely one day will find solution to this problem before too late hopefully.

[smileyshan]

Wow, so this has happened to others before and not just only me. I was in college when this happened to me. I was in class one day and I was paying attention to what the teacher was saying. The next thing I knew the guys that were sitting in front of me were starring at me at the corner of their eyes. They were boys so I didn't pay any attention to them. The next time I was in class, they were starring for the whole class period and I still didn't pay them any attention. It dawned on me when I went to work in customer service at TJ Maxx and people were acting really funny around me. I couldn't figure out what was going on and it was really beginning to bother me. Anyway that year I didn't return to school and now I am stuck behind the scenes of my house. I have to work and when I go to work I don't communicate with others because I know I will make them feel uncomfortable. I don't know if I am posessed or cursed, but this has been happening to me going on four years.

[masterflex]

Thanks Imd -- I think everything will turn out fine for me.  The dreaming and planning around an event (grad school) kept me motivated during the application process.  But that same dream made me feel oh so bad when I couldn't have it for the time being.  It sucked so badly this morning -- I was experiences withdrawal symptoms from having the dream-heroine taken away.  I'm good though.  Getting stronger.

[lmd28]

I thought I was the only one who has experienced the eye contact problem.  I guess it does have something to do with anxiety.  Sometimes you feel like you cant look at someone when they are talking to you, or you can't look away because you don't want them to think you are not interested in what they are talking about.  Anyway it can be really nerve racking. It doesn't happen all of the time like you said only if you think about it.  That's when I have to make myself appear that I am not uncomfortable.  Sorry to hear of your disappointment on grad school.  But I'm sure there is something else in store for you.  Good luck to you : )

[masterflex]

I didn't get into grad school -- just found out today.  So disappointed.  It is a crime to not accept me.  On the plus, I got some zoloft from my doctor today so here's to a brighter tomorrow and some life planning.  Interestingly enough, in my shock and disappointment, my anxiety went away. Tonight is going to suck so badly.