Obsessed with how people view my facial expressions? eye mov

[froghat]

movements. Anyone else like this? I just started CBT with my therapist and while I was doing some homework I realized all the situations that cause anxiety are cause by my obsession with my facial expression and eye moements and contact. I fear someone will see me making a weird face and think I'm a weirdo and I'm paranoid about my eye contact. I always have this scary feeling that my eyes look weird and I'm doing it wrong.

I'm hoping CBT can help this? I'm unsure how to change. It's exhausting worrying about how I look. I just wanna relax and chill like everyone else. I can't even have a conversation with someone because I'm so worried about how my eye contact looks.

Anyone have this problem? I hope there ius a way to get over this. I can't take it anymore.

 

[Helyna]

I worry about eye contact sometimes - I guess we all do. But CBT should help that. Good luck!

 

[froghat]

Helyna, yeah I know, but mine is so bad while I'm talking with someone I get the urge to run away. I can't enjoy someone's company. Until I improve this it will be impossible for me to ever connect with someone. Anyways, thanks.

 

[Argamemnon]

Yes, obsession with my facial expression is one of my biggest concerns. It's so bad that I have to avoid people. I can never feel relaxed around people, it's always those exhausting thoughts about me "looking weird". It makes my life a hell.

 

[FreedomFighter]

hi again froghat , you basically described me , im still looking for the bloody answers , still no luck , but ill keep you posted , peace Bro , Robbie

 

[seekeroftruth]

Me too, it's funny how most of us describe it as a living hell, and it's true! how can something so simple be hell, but it is...

I tense up my cheek muscles and it looks like I am pissed off or something and people seem to react to it...the thing is if I am talking to someone I would not care how awkward their facial expressions were because I can empathize...if only everyone could know.

 

[Carefree]

Most people with SA instinctively tense up their facial muscles, even to a snarl at times when they become anxious. That sets the wheel turning, you start making anti-social expressions, and people get turned off by you, which in turn you pick up on and feel more anxious.

There's lots of stuff you can do in the short term to aleviate that somewhat, but you may as well just get on with the self-esteem boosting. Because that's what this is all about at the end of the day. Sort that out, and you will naturally relax in the company of others..

 

[missmary]

i envy people who are able to relax and look others directly in the eye without insecurity or fear. yes, i too have the same problem. I'm afraid that my facial expression or eyes are weird - looking and that others will notice. They have actually noticed something because every time i talk to someone, the first thing they ask me is, "are you okay.? Go figures. Once I realize that they are staring at my face, the ends of my mouth start twitching and my hands shaking, and its the beginning of another social anxiety attack.

 

[Anubis]

movements. Anyone else like this? I just started CBT with my therapist and while I was doing some homework I realized all the situations that cause anxiety are cause by my obsession with my facial expression and eye moements and contact. I fear someone will see me making a weird face and think I'm a weirdo and I'm paranoid about my eye contact. I always have this scary feeling that my eyes look weird and I'm doing it wrong.

I'm hoping CBT can help this? I'm unsure how to change. It's exhausting worrying about how I look. I just wanna relax and chill like everyone else. I can't even have a conversation with someone because I'm so worried about how my eye contact looks.

Anyone have this problem? I hope there ius a way to get over this. I can't take it anymore.

Oh wow, I had a similar problem described in this thread. I would literally come home every day from school mentally exhausted from worrying so much about my facial expression.

I found a solution, but rather than rehashing it, I described it here just in case you're interested. It's worked for some, and it's been neutral for others. But it's drastically changed my life.

 

[lime]

Yeah I had the same problem, this was the foundation of my anxiety. Now that I've finally worked this out I've been tackling it and my anxiety has been cut in half basically.

 

[Qoo]

I have got the same problem for a long time ago,but i tried to find the way to improve my self,work out,tried to reduce my weight,and smile when talk to other people,then I feel better when I do it and see people's expression when thier talk with me

 

[SteveW]

I just don't like the thought of what people see when they look at me. Hence I don't like my photos, etc. I find it hard to make eye contact, too.

Generally I look unhappy and in anxiety-proviking situations I probably clamp my jaw a bit, so that doesn't help!