This happens similarly to me as well. Im sorry you're having this happen to you. I spend a lot of time "daydreaming" so I get quiet. People can sense sensitivity, I swear. Most of the time they respond by trying to do damage without even realizing it. It takes awhile, but to survive you have to be rough on the outside. I've been called "intimidating" because of this. I'm a bowl of jello on the inside, by nature. Have you tried focusing more introvertedly within yourself?