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Legendary Wise Elder
Member Since May 2013
Location: Chicago
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Aug 15, 2013 at 01:42 PM
#1
So its weird ever since I have decreased the dose of abilify I have gotten to the point where I can't look people in the eye anymore. I had gotten really good at it after dealing with a pdoc and T that don't look away, but now its like more than a split second of eye contact and I immediately shut my eyes or look away, it makes me seem timid and afraid. Anybody else have this problem?
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Elder
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Aug 15, 2013 at 01:43 PM
#2
I have a really hard time with eye contact, I can do it for a split second like you mentioned but then usually I have to look away.
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 Sometimes psychotic
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Legendary Wise Elder
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Aug 15, 2013 at 01:58 PM
#3
It just feels overwhelming to me now like my mind just blanks.
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Aug 15, 2013 at 02:18 PM
#4
Are you feeling anxious or paranoid at all? Any other symptoms other than the reduced eye contact??
I hate eye contact too. I had to force it earlier for what felt like forever, but was probably only a minute or so and my head was screaming the whole time, so much so that I couldn't even hear what he was saying to me :/ I guess you just have to do what you did before to increase your eye contact again until it becomes second nature again  *Willow* |
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Elder
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Aug 15, 2013 at 02:21 PM
#5
I don't like making eye contact with strangers for long. I'm okay with people I know, though. I also don't like looking at people's faces for long. I tend to turn toward people but not look directly at them a lot. I often don't even realize I'm doing this.
I know that when my mind is a mess, I look downward when I walk. I remember as a pre-teen/young teen I used to look at my feet instead of in front of me. Learning to hold my head up and look forward took a lot of practice but, now that my depressions are less sever it's also easier to look forward than down. __________________  |
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Legendary Wise Elder
Member Since May 2013
Location: Chicago
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Aug 15, 2013 at 02:40 PM
#6
Quote:
Yes it makes sense that I need to practice again, but its so automatic and the feeling of looking at someone is so intense, hopefully this calms out. Thanks. 
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Legendary Wise Elder
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Aug 15, 2013 at 02:45 PM
#7
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Aug 15, 2013 at 02:53 PM
#8
It sounds like the anti-anxiety (though I always feel like it's more don't-give-a-crap than the absence of anxiety) effect of the AP may be wearing off and you're reverting to your pre-med shy/socially anxious self. I've always been shy too, but never had this issue with holding eye contact, like I literally never even thought about eye contact until the depression and then psychotic stuff set in, and now it's really difficult. But I think if you conquered it before, albeit on meds, you can do it again with a lesser dose. All the best
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Member
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Location: uk
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Aug 15, 2013 at 05:36 PM
#9
it depends how unwell I am... if I'm really paranoid or off medication then I find it impossible to make eye contact... otherwise it's natural but I tend to be concious of it at all times and often worry if i'm staring or not looking at people enough.
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Grand Magnate
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Aug 16, 2013 at 10:19 AM
#10
@ sometimes - I find it interesting that there seems to be a direct correlation between meds and eye contact for you.
I like to concentrate on someone's lower lashes, or on the crease of their eyelid. Its so close to actual eye contact that most people won't notice or feel like you're not making eye contact. I feel safer and it doesn't make others uncomfortable, so win-win! |
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faerie_moon_x, Piraeus, Sometimes psychotic
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Grand Magnate
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Aug 16, 2013 at 02:30 PM
#11
Interesting observation. I don't generally make a lot of eye contact but I have noticed I am doing it a lot more. The Abilify may have a role in this because it has improved my concentration. I am also doing some social skills training so that may also contribute to it.
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Atypical_Disaster, Sometimes psychotic
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Legendary Wise Elder
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Aug 16, 2013 at 02:37 PM
#12
Yeah abilify is weird---I honestly thought it was all the therapy that fixed the eye contact problem now I know it was at least in part the drug. I fixed the problem for the most part I just have to buck up a little before I look where a person is, sort of mentally prepare. I must have been doing this before because it fixed pretty easily albeit imperfectly. Also I just had lunch with an old friend and I had no eye contact problems with her so it seems to be strangers only. I live just outside a major city so eye contact here is weird---no downtown or on the train, yes in the burbs or on the bus. I think part of it was taking the train and not being able to look at anyone that triggered this so maybe not entirely the drug but I'm just more aware because of the drug switch.
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Poohbah
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Aug 19, 2013 at 08:58 AM
#13
Hi Sometimes psychotic. I know what you mean about not making eye contact. I wish I could just dispense with the pleasantries. It doesn't mean anything. People ask "How are you?" If I really told them, they would run away. I have a hard time making eye contact. Thanks for your tip Gr3tta. I will try that.
Sincerely, Piraeus __________________ Life's too short to make trouble out of small things.Kurt Nilsen. Destiny, destiny protect me from the world. Radiohead Swimming in a sea of faces, The tide of the human race oh the answer now is what I need. See it in the new sunrising and see it break on your horizon, ohhh come on love stay with me. Cold play |
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Atypical_Disaster, Gr3tta, Sometimes psychotic
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Aug 23, 2013 at 12:49 PM
#14
I used to have that problem all the time until I went deaf. I guess I'm still not looking at their eyes and more their mouth but I use to not even do that. It's still very uncomfortable for me. I use to look down all the time now I have to read lips! I hate it.
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