School- does this happen to anyone else?

[go-go-ghost-ship]

My anxiety is very noticeable in school. I always have my head down, and if I'm not in a desk I sit in the fetal position. I hardly ever socialize with other students, I speak quietly, I bite my lip, and I cry occasionally. Some of my teachers (and some students, too) have noticed this and they act... oddly towards me. Three of them periodically ask if I'm okay, which I'm fine with. I'm happy that someone actually cares. Sometimes everyone seems to act sort of carefully near me, but maybe that's in my head. Even if it isn't, I'm still okay with it. The one thing that bothers me- and maybe this, too, is a figment of my imagination- is when a teacher or student acts as if I'm a bit "special" (i.e., retarded). Today in gym a group of girls with whom I had never spoken sat in a very threatening-looking semicircle and asked in very kind voices, as if speaking to a child, a few questions on various subjects- my mood, my math class, if I liked football, etc. I dismissed it as normal attempts at socialization mixed with about 25% percent pity, but when we split into our separate groups (one large group does badminton and the other does keepaway), I was called over and told that [one of the coaches] decided to move me into a group with those girls. When we divided into smaller groups, the coach interrupted her normal sorting system to place me with one of the girls who had approached me. She (the girl) stayed within 10 feet of me throughout the whole class. It was very distressing.
Am I making a mountain out of a molehill here? Or does this happen to others? I feel like I'm just being paranoid, but I'm not sure... sorry to give you any trouble...

 

[surewhynot]

Seems to me like they are just trying to be nice. You could try getting to know that girl, might make yourself a new friend. Good luck

 

[Engulfed707]

I hate the feeling of being looked at as "special," although I do agree that it is nice to know someone cares about you. I had that kind of thing happen to me in school, but I think more of it in my situation was mockery instead of genuine attempts at socializing... but to answer your question, I don't think you're paranoid, you are just seeing more clearly what may actually be happening. I would ask my coaches/teachers to just let me have my space, because I'm comfortable that way. Nothing to feel guilty about

 

[laure15]

First of all, you are not paranoid. I think you are very aware of your environment. Like you, I also kept to myself and try not to draw attention to myself at school. I sit quietly and mind my own business while everybody socializes. But alas, my attempts to stay anonymous didn't always work. There were groups of girls who singled me out and harassed me. I was called 'stupid', 'ugly', etc. Some of them even thought I was a lesbian. At first, I try to tell myself that I am overthinking things and I was being paranoid. But later when other students started harassing me more openly, I realize my intuition was right all along.

Well, I'm glad I transferred out of that school and the nightmare is over. But, please don't give up. I hope you find a group of friends where you fit in.