Do you look anxious?

[EscapeArtist]

Apparently I come off as extremely calm. I have been told by many people, even was talked about in the middle of a psychology class by the teacher when I had my hand up for a high anxiety test score, she said something along the lines of "Wow, You!?!? I wouldn't expect you to be anxious!!" in front of the class.. lol.. My hospital tutor anxiety person even said that I come across as very calm, not anxious at all, just quiet and "mature". I found this... to be a real eye opener. I try VERY VERY hard not to look anxious because I am most anxious about letting my anxiety out!! So I have my act down really really well, and put out the "I don't care" face... I am wondering whether you are obviously anxious, how much you try to cover it, what you do to cover it.. And whether you have gotten comments about how anxious , or how not anxious looking you are

So yes, do you appear anxious?

 

[Looking_in105]

I think i do, people sometimes say: "you look sick, whats wrong?", "stop stressing", "you look like you're about to cry". argh!!

 

[Untamed88]

I keep being described as 'chilled'.
I know that I am in no way 'chilled'. I think me sitting there doing nothing out of fear comes across as really laid back to others.

 

[Forgotten-Children]

I don't really think my outter emotion really changes when I'm afraid. If I was walking in a crowd, you'd probably wouldn't even have a clue to the fact that I was terrified. It's just if people talk to me, or if my anxiety is so bad that I start to tear up. That's when people start asking that actually seem to care.

 

[mismeek]

very anxious....

 

[Kiwong]

Yes people notice my anxiety. Often not in a good way.

 

[N0D]

I've been told I appear very calm and "chill" on numerous occasions by numerous people. I don't ever feel calm or "chill" though.

I think this is because I grab any escaping feelings and beat them back inside myself before anyone notices.

 

[kihira]

I'm aware that I frown a bit. This has been commented on. I try to keep a relaxed face when anxious, this means that i rarely smile. This has also been commented on. I would rather not smile than have a constant fake smile. I'm improving at smiling a bit at appropriate times, but I don't like how it feels. maybe I should carry around a life size smiley face?

Have I gone off track here

 

[Ignace]

When they see me, I don't think they do. I'm good in faking confidence in looks. Ask me how I'm doing and you got me. :: What kind of question is that by the way ? ...

 

[Dave1989]

Yep, im sitting on a bus now and im pretty sure peopleare avoiding sitting next to me because i look like such a mess

 

[Falkor]

Oh yeah, I look really anxious around people. Because I just can't hide.
People keep asking me ''Are you ok??''

@Dave1998: I can relate to what you said, I feel like that too in public places, wish I could seem as relaxing like EscapeArtist

But once my Breathing Coach (I only went to her a few times) told me duriing a session I look really relaxed, I seem calm and a confident attitude.. that really made me happy , and after the session I saw a woman in the waiting line, she was about to get a session too, and she seemed really afraid, she looked like she was about to explode from anxiety, she was so tensed.. :-/
Her eyes were big, but I said Hi! Good luck.. =) , I thought by myself..
Hmm, So It isn't that bad, to look anxious. We just look a bit afraid, but we don't look like a mess, believe me looking afraid is better than arrogance

I always think I look stupid too, but In fact people tell me the oposit.
But, yeah. It's hard to believe when you see yourself with your own eyes. especially with BDD related issues or a Low Self Esteem.

But It just depends on how I feel

 

[Lionheart]

When they see me, I don't think they do. I'm good in faking confidence in looks. Ask me how I'm doing and you got me. :: What kind of question is that by the way ? ...

I also fake confidence but I cant fake it when I have to talk.

 

[Aussie_Lad]

Noone ever tells me how I look. I walked into work with a bloodshot eye yesterday, and only one person even commented on it.

 

[JosephG]

Yeahhh I think I look more tense than anxious if that makes sense. I always notice I lean forwards when sitting down and then it feels strange to sit back and relax. And I also notice that my hands are tensing or any other muscle for that matter. Hmm maybe I do look anxious.

 

[LazyHermitCrab]

Today at work this person said, "you are so chill and take things as they come, huh" but inside it was more like @.@ and then later someone said I looked sad and to stop being so shy lol

 

[KiaKaha]

Sometimes... I think I look more creepy and off more than anxious though...maybe a little intimidating (although I am not at all) If you have ever seen pictures of me and didnt know me, I dont think I would look like someone you would want to have anything to do with...

 

[coyote]

I'm another one of the "always calm on the surface" types.

I'm able to project the calmness on the people around me to some extent.

This worked well with my troops when I was a Sergeant in the Marine Corps.

When I was a police dispatcher, I would take over the radio in the middle of car chase or shooting when everyone else was screaming and freaking out, and calm the whole situation down.

Now, at my store, I'm able to diffuse the tension when we have a bunch of shoppers waiting to check out during the busy season.

Inside, though, I'm a compete nervous wreck.

 

[EscapeArtist]

@dave, I doubt you look as much a mess as you think!

@flowergirlie, how nice of you to wish her goodluck.. I have seen many people also who look a lot more anxious than me. And you're too right, showing anxiety is better than arrogance.

@Hermit.. Do you get that a lot? "You look sad"? I ALWAYS get that.. Eventually I just began to tell people I was, whenever I was quiet and they asked why, just because it seemed to make so much more sense to them. (Don't do that anymore)

@coyote, wow you must come off as one of the calmest people, with that description..dayem


@phocas I have a huge problem with frowning/smiling too! At first I frowned all the time, and I mean all the time.. I still do, when I'm walking around, because it wards peopel's stare off away from me. Now it's the opposite, if somebody is talking to me I smile all the time, or I try not to smile at all. Very hard balance to keep

 

[hoddesdon]

I'm another one of the "always calm on the surface" types.

I'm able to project the calmness on the people around me to some extent.

This worked well with my troops when I was a Sergeant in the Marine Corps.

When I was a police dispatcher, I would take over the radio in the middle of car chase or shooting when everyone else was screaming and freaking out, and calm the whole situation down.

Now, at my store, I'm able to diffuse the tension when we have a bunch of shoppers waiting to check out during the busy season.

Inside, though, I'm a compete nervous wreck.

Do you have any tips on how to do that?

 

[coyote]

Do you have any tips on how to do that?

I just don't know - been doing it all my life

It's partly acting, I suppose, as in stage acting - like taking on a role

Taking on the persona of the character you're trying to portray

It can be exhausting, though