The "looking thing"

[android909]

I'm a little concerned as my 8 yr old boy has recently seemed to be having issues with people looking at him.
Today we were in the park, his brother got hurt and when some people looked around he took it personally and ran off and hid behind a tree and stayed there for ages. Later the kids came over but he still wanted to hide.
I spoke to him about it later and he said he felt scared when they looked, and that later when they'd tried to come over he hadn't realised they were wanting to make friends.
A couple of weeks ago he was upset about "the looking thing" which had happened at school and I didn't really understand.
And shortly before that he'd got quite upset / angry when someone turned round on the street after he'd fallen down.
His reactions lately have been OTT, irrational and I don't understand where this behaviour has come from.
Historically he's never been "shy", although social issues have been mentioned by school teachers.
Has something happened which has triggered this? Thanks

If it's recent, I would assume that something has triggered it. It could have been a passing comment at school, in the park, something he's seen on TV/read or dreamed about.

Maybe he's looked at someone and has had a mouthful from someone at school "Stop staring at me..what are you looking at?" sort of scenario, or maybe something's happened at school and people have looked and laughed at him/he's seen other children laughing at someone else, which has now made him feel insecure.

I'd speak to his teachers..do you think there is a link between the social issues at school and the "looking thing?"

Thanks Misfit, I guess something must have happened but not sure quite what as he doesn't really tell us much about school.
I would hate to think that he's the subject of any cruel things that kids say and do but his unstreetwise-ness and personal interests might make him a bit of a target.
If he's freaking out at people looking at him that will make him stand out even more.
If I witness an event we can chat about it afterwards and smooth out the misunderstandings by explaining why people we're looking at that their intentions weren't bad.
But I've no idea how to rewind his mind and stop him from reacting so badly next time.

It's so hard when they don't tell you about things going on at school. My DS is the same. x