Dark sunglasses help with social anxiety?

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Joe90
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01 Jul 2019, 11:45 am

I'm thinking of investing in some darker sunglasses where people can't see my eyes. I believe it will help me relax in public.
I don't go out looking unkempt or weird, but I've figured out that what catches attention of people is my facial expressions around the eyes. When I pass someone walking, I don't look at them but I worry that they're looking at me, so I become all conscious of my facial expressions and then I involuntarily move the muscles around my eyes and blink a lot. Then people do stare, which I don't want. I think that wearing sunglasses dark enough to hide my eyes may help, as people can't see the fear in my eyes and so won't bother to stare. Then I will probably feel more relaxed, which will relax the rest of my facial muscles and I'll look more approachable.

What do you think?


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IsabellaLinton
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01 Jul 2019, 12:10 pm

I wear dark polarised sunglasses because of sun sensitivity but also to avoid eye contact. I feel safe with them on, just like I feel safer wearing eyeglasses in general. I like having as much of a barrier as possible between my eyes and the world.


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Fireblossom
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01 Jul 2019, 12:39 pm

So I've heard. The only downside I can think of is that if you wear them in a place that people don't normally wear sunglasses at, you could get stared at for that.



Trueno
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01 Jul 2019, 12:55 pm

I was thinking of wearing sunglasses at the gym today. I already wear earplugs, but I thought it would help put me in my own little zone.
The potential problem is that some people get freaked out if you (I) wear sunglasses indoors... precisely because they can't see your eyes and think it's a bit weird. I was told this once... but nowadays I'd just do what the hell I want. If you don't want to start a conversation I don't see that it matters anyway.


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Joe90
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01 Jul 2019, 2:18 pm

Fireblossom wrote:
So I've heard. The only downside I can think of is that if you wear them in a place that people don't normally wear sunglasses at, you could get stared at for that.


Well I don't plan on wearing them indoors, because I don't feel so anxious about eye contact with strangers in stores and places, but walking by people in the street seems more intimidating for me and that's when I feel like people are staring at me more.


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Sahn
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01 Jul 2019, 3:38 pm

They could definitely help you, give it a go.
I just wore my cap and shades in the local supermarket it was fine, really helps when you don't want to engage with people.



Trueno
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01 Jul 2019, 3:40 pm

Joe90 wrote:
Fireblossom wrote:
So I've heard. The only downside I can think of is that if you wear them in a place that people don't normally wear sunglasses at, you could get stared at for that.


Well I don't plan on wearing them indoors, because I don't feel so anxious about eye contact with strangers in stores and places, but walking by people in the street seems more intimidating for me and that's when I feel like people are staring at me more.


Sounds like a good plan to me.


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Prometheus18
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01 Jul 2019, 4:17 pm

Okay when you have an ostensible reason for wearing them, but if you start wearing them indoors in winter, the funny looks you'll get will increase your anxiety.



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01 Jul 2019, 4:25 pm

As someone with social anxiety who does indeed need them all the time (especially around Christmas actually) I advise against it.

Something which does help me is wearing one layer of extra clothes to what you need (assuming it's summer/spring/autumn) and always wearing a thick coat in winter. And it's not so unusual that people will stare.

Nobody knows it but it's like a barrier between me and the world.

I prefer being too hot to being too cold though.


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Wolfram87
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01 Jul 2019, 5:09 pm

A bit. They look great, too. 8)


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