Fergus, welcome.

You must be a young person because it sounds as if you haven't had enough experience in life yet to know that everyone has fears, many of them exactly the ones you express. As you live longer, you will learn that your fears are really not worth considering unless they are life-threatening.

What's going to happen if one of your fears materializes? Is someone just going to disintegrate right before your eyes? No.

You will find that most people mean well and are careful about what they say and do not wish to hurt others. Oh, there are some who don't understand what they are doing when they reveal themselves by "bullying" behavior--they're revealing their weakness.

If you allow for the fact that most people are good, conscientious and caring, you are going to be missing a world of goodness by clinging tightly to your fears.

The best way to handle those who would challenge you is to say to them "I'm sorry you feel as you do. You know that you are revealing your own inadequacy when you behave as you're doing." That makes them stop and think if nothing else.

Try to ignore that kind of behavior because it's negative and gets nowhere. And
negativity is a loading for depression--so just brush them aside, please.

Try experimenting with trying your giftedness and see what reactions you get.
You'll find that people won't disintegrate so easily! And you'll be glad you took the
chance and expressed your real feelings. (It's also gong to lead to your becoming
a strong, mature person.)