Fear of being watched in public.

[Mark Smith]

When I’m walking in public(especially on a sidewalk near a lot of traffic) I get extremely anxious that people are watching me and that they’re probably judging me as well. Does anybody else experience this?

 

[Judge]

Might be one reason I always preferred to sit at the back of most any movie theater.

 

[Bolletje]

I used to, but I’ve come to realize that people just aren’t that interested in other people.

 

[rainfall]

Yep, always. Before I start to panic I try to remind myself that their opinions don't matter. They are literally passers-by. The other is that when I'm in a vehicle and not driving I look at people walking too. Not to judge them but to wonder what their life stories might be. Maybe others do the same, or are bored etc., and you walking is something new for a moment as they pass.

 

[tree]

When I walk near traffic, I am hoping that
the people driving notice I am there, because
where I walk there are no sidewalks.

I look at people/cars enough to make sure
that they aren't going to run into me.

 

[Sozdatelniza]

As well. It happens often when I walk through street I feel very uncomfortable when my sight gets literally stuck in stranger's eyes. I also feel awkward trying to look to the bottom or to the side. Because I know it looks strange.
Nevertheless I found a solution to this. I remind myself that seeing this stranger was the only time in my life.

 

[Juliettaa]

Not anymore. Perhaps I'm too old to care.

I'm more focused on avoiding them. Other people that is.

 

[Fridgemagnetman]

Don't like being looked at.

It puts me off.

Glad I'm not famous.

It's bad enough being looked at when they don't know who you are.

 

[Streetwise]

When I’m walking in public(especially on a sidewalk near a lot of traffic) I get extremely anxious that people are watching me and that they’re probably judging me as well. Does anybody else experience this?

every single time and every single day but that's panic disorder when I didn't have panic disorder it wasn't as obvious to me .

 

[Juliettaa]

Don't like being looked at.

It puts me off.

Glad I'm not famous.

It's bad enough being looked at when they don't know who you are.

I don't look at them, so I don't know if they're looking at me.

I'd hate to be famous. That really would be a living hell.

 

[clg114]

When I’m walking in public(especially on a sidewalk near a lot of traffic) I get extremely anxious that people are watching me and that they’re probably judging me as well. Does anybody else experience this?

I do not get that feeling when I am out and about. I see my self as Mr. average and just blend in with the masses. However, being in a mass of people does bother me.

 

[Sherlock77]

I don't exactly blend in, due to my choices of what I wear and hairstyle, in appearance I'm not Mr. Average... Having said that when I'm in public I don't usually have fear unless there is real reason... I will admit to doing street photography, so that alone may answer the question...

 

[tducey]

I've experienced this in the past as well. It's a needless fear as most people I encounter all like me but it's still something I've experienced as well.

 

[Anthracite]

As I have social anxiety this is a constant nagging of mine, not helped by the fact I have been physically assaulted and verbally abused in public just for daring to go outside. I don't stand out physically, apparently I just have this invisible sign above my head that says "weirdo here, free abuse!".

 

[Progster]

I don't feel comfortable having people look at me - I can feel the eyes boring into me and I avoid eye contact at all costs. I look down and not at people.

 

[Fridgemagnetman]

I wonder if the lack of eye contact
Is more to do with not wanting to be looked at.

If you look at someone they look back.

 

[Mr Allen]

I'm going to a promotional "Super Hero" event in Town next Friday for a local Radio station, I was going to go early and get my carer to meet me there, but Mum's said not to walk round Town dressed up, it might attract the "wrong" sort of attention she says.

But the event is on till 17.30 anyway, so when the carer comes at 14.00, we can watch the end of Neighbours and go straight for the Tram after I put my costume on.

 

[peachykeen]

I get this all the time, especially in the gym.
The advice that people always give me is that people are too self absorbed and worried about what people think of them that they aren’t giving you a second of their time, so don’t feel like they are.
In my experience, crowded busy places are just as bad as situations where there’s only two or three people around- I’ll still feel like they’re staring and judging! It’s not paranoia so much as social anxiety coupled with low self esteem. I also have absolutely no idea how I come across to other people. I’m always changing up how I present myself to people I meet on the offchance one of the versions will seem ‘normal’, but I think I have an overriding ‘ice queen’ vibe regardless

 

[Mr Allen]

I get this all the time, especially in the gym.
The advice that people always give me is that people are too self absorbed and worried about what people think of them that they aren’t giving you a second of their time, so don’t feel like they are.
In my experience, crowded busy places are just as bad as situations where there’s only two or three people around- I’ll still feel like they’re staring and judging! It’s not paranoia so much as social anxiety coupled with low self esteem. I also have absolutely no idea how I come across to other people. I’m always changing up how I present myself to people I meet on the offchance one of the versions will seem ‘normal’, but I think I have an overriding ‘ice queen’ vibe regardless

Some people are indeed too self absorbed IMO, here in England we call it being "So far up their own arse it's not funny", which means they have an over inflated sense of their own importance.