[Anrea]

Hi,

When I speak with people, if I am very interested in how they are reacting or how they feel, I look back and forth at their eyes.

My husband has just pointed this out to me, in a loving and funny way. But we also got into a discussion about it, and he gave me an example.

I believe I do this because of my trust issues, I am looking for micro changes in their expressions or feelings.

I am wondering how many others of you move your eyes back and forth in varying speeds? I am wondering if anyone knows why we do this, what this is called, and if it puts others off? My husband pointed out to me that it seems hard to follow at times, and we joked about it being suspicious if a policeman ever interrogated me. (not that I am doing anything wrong, but the general paranoia that comes from 'what ifs'...)

So - thoughts anyone?

[Anrea]

Oh, I found this: Reading the Eyes in Body Language

It suggests attraction. But I am also thinking it is more then that. Not just attraction, but severe interest in completely grasping what the other person is trying to convey.

It is quite interesting though - and I do wonder what it looks like, because to him, it is like a falcon - but in a more gentle way, he also indicated it is quite disconcerting, and difficult for him to follow. I have also noticed other people pulling their head back from my gaze at times. I can be rather intense mentally.

Please share with all of us your own eye contact habits, whether it is avoidance, or staring, or back and forth or whatever. Let us see if our personality disorder has any pattern in this way.