Eye Contact

LegacyUser

Hello all. I've struggled with eye contact over the years and it makes me feel very embarrassed around people. I've been for eye tests and all is okay. Sometimes people ask why am looking at their hair etc but I genuinely think am looking at their eyes, face etc. I struggle with this everyday and it gets me down.

Am wondering if anyone else has experienced this?

Thank you all.

Faith

Is it that you find it difficult to look someone directly in the eye, or you actually think you are looking them in the eye but your gaze is hitting elsewhere?

LegacyUser

@Faith

I actually think am looking them in the eye but my gaze is hitting elsewhere

Ghekko

I never make eye contact. I feel totally uncomfortable doing it, don't know why. I'd say the only people I make full eye contact with are my Dh and kids. Outside of that if having a conversation I am conscious of looking everywhere else but the persons eyes. I try then to look them in the eye but can't. Nobody has ever commented on it though. I don't let it bother me too much. At my age, I'm past caring what people think.

Silverfish

THe trick to making eye contact with someone when you're not comfortable with it is to look at the tip of their nose.
To them it looks like eye contact.

Faith

Guestposter wrote: »

@Faith

I actually think am looking them in the eye but my gaze is hitting elsewhere

That’s interesting, because that sounds more physiological than psychological. Eye contact is emotionally intensive and can be tricky for some people for that reason, but it sounds like that’s not the case for you.

I’d ask if it’s a problem in other situations, but I’m guessing you’re only aware of it in this situation because people have commented on it.

I’d think it might be worth discussing with an opthalmologist - a proper eye doctor, not just an optician.