English Deutsch Français Italiano Español Português 繁體中文 Bahasa Indonesia Tiếng Việt ภาษาไทย
All categories

I have social anxiety. I am 18 years old female who is Muslim. People see that I cover my hair, they think I'm a terrorist so that gives me social anxiety. I'm sick and tire of when I'm walking, people looking at me in a scared way. I'm thinking about just dropping out of this college.

2007-01-23 04:18:08 · 11 answers · asked by Pretty 1 in Social Science Psychology

11 answers

Please do not drop out of college because of what you perceive to be a hostile attitude. Perhaps you interpret blank stares as a sign of fear. As a teacher, and lecturer, I can assure you that I have had students who did not cover their hair and yet felt as you do, namely they thought they were being ostracised by others because of the colour of their skin or some other reason. I am sure that your fellow students do not think you are a terrorist. Has anyone actually told you that it is what they believe? Have you no friends you can talk to or relate to, or perhaps a lecturer you can confide in and to whom you can explain your feelings of insecurity?
You do not say what you are studying, but really try to think about your studies in a positive way. You are at college to better yourself and ensure a better future for you and your eventual family. If you see everyone as an enemy, they might feel you are cutting them off and they may be afraid of upsetting you by approaching you. You are then caught in a vicious circle and a situation that perpetrates itself. Try to relax a little, and be smiling open and friendly. It will ease the tension. Perhaps you can take the initiative and approach someone who seems quiet and lonely on your course and you may find they have feelings just like yours, even though they are not wearing a scarf over their head.
Many students your age feel isolated in college, irrespective of their nationality, their colour or their faith, and I can assure this feeling will pass eventally.There are more good people up there than bad ones and you can see from these answers that people are kind, respect your convictions and feel concern for your sadness and isolation. So take courage and do not be afraid of others. They too have problems that you probably are unaware of. These may be the cause of their looking anxious, and has nothing to do with you or your appearance.

2007-01-23 04:50:11 · answer #1 · answered by WISE OWL 7 · 0 0

You sound just like me, lol So I know how you feel. I don't know old you are, but if your still in high school or college, you should try to find a group of people that you feel comfortable with. Some ways to do that is when you are at a party or new class, etc, look for the people who are also on the outside of the group and look kinda nervous like you do. It may turn out that they're actually really nice people and have the same insecurities as you, so you may not feel as nervous around them. As for always replaying what you said or did, try this: Allow yourself to think about what you said or did only once during the moment you said/did those things, and again at night, before you fall asleep. By allowing yourself to repeat past scenarios over and over, it could develop into OCD and make it worse. So starting now, limit yourself to rethinking/replaying to only two times a day. If this doesn't help, you should join a support group for people with similar problems as you. There you can learn some tips on how to cope with it and also mean new people who are understanding of your problems.

2016-03-28 22:47:49 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

Aye, I'm socially anxious as well, and also technically a Muslim. I wasn't raised in a family where people cover their hair, but I respect everyone's beliefs and choices. If they are telling you that you're a terrorist, they are pigs and you should indeed find yourself a new place to study, for not every place is like that. However, if you just think they stare at you and think they say those things behind your back, then it might be just your social anxiousness. Try not to care about other peoples' opinions. That's how I survive.

2007-01-23 04:27:01 · answer #3 · answered by Buchyex 3 · 2 0

This is so sad. But you are a strong woman inside, and you don't have to let people's stupidity take over your life. It will set a pattern for the future.

Take refuge in what your faith and the observing of it gives you. And just for fun, when you get a look, you could say "HEY! I'm not a terrorist (or We are not all terrorists) so stop looking at me that way!"

2007-01-23 04:28:44 · answer #4 · answered by justbeingher 7 · 0 0

Don't take anti anxiety drugs, they make you slow. I'm sure they're not looking at you as much as you think they are, you're making the problem worse by obsessing over it. You should try breathing and ask your god for strength. If you still feel the same way at the end of the year, then yeah, choose a school with people more like you.

2007-01-23 04:28:22 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0 1

Consider yourself lucky. I have social anxiety and if i had some form of garment i could hide inside i'd feel a lot more relaxed. Don't forget they arn't looking at YOU, just the 'headscarf'.

Only you think they think that your a terrorist. That's the nature of SA .

If it bothers you that much remove it and see how people react.

2007-01-23 18:57:46 · answer #6 · answered by No 3 · 1 0

Don’t take it so personally. Every human is afraid of people they don’t know. Normal well adjusted people are afraid of what is not familiar, it’s a natural instinct. In reality most people are probably not thinking that you’re a terrorist they are more than likely afraid you don’t speak the same language and might ask them a question.

2007-01-23 04:30:44 · answer #7 · answered by Brian 2 · 0 0

I have read some litterature about panic attacks. But they allways seem to have a more scientific approach and that is nothing I need in my struggle to survive those horrible panic attacks. This is a "hand on" and very practical book. I felt it was written to me. I am sure that you are going to feel the same.

Joe Barry writes exactly how I think. The examples are perfectly described. And the method is genius. I recommend this book and thanks Joe Barry for writing it. It changes your life

2016-05-17 02:34:50 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

Medication did wonders for my Social Anxiety Disorder. Go and see your doctor.

2007-01-23 04:25:03 · answer #9 · answered by purple_lily76 5 · 0 2

hun u know the reason very well... it's because fo teh vail... i know it's part of your religion to have to keep it but is it written in the qoran that you have to wear it? we live in the 21 century.. women are equal to man, you shouldn't be hiding yourself... go to a doctor and talk about your problems.. i am sure that u are beutiful go out and show who u are.. u will be accepted and no one will think ill of u....

*srry if i misspelled

2007-01-23 04:39:35 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0 2

fedest.com, questions and answers