Feel like everyone is staring at me?

[Ilovemycatalot]

Is this part of my depression and anxiety? I hate going out now and feel everyone is looking at me. I feel judged on the clothes I wear how I look it’s getting a nightmare to leave the house and when I am out I just want to get home.
Can anyone relate or offer advice? Feeling awful.

Yes, I would imagine it is part of your anxiety.

People aren't looking at you. 99% of people are so absorbed in their own world, they don't even notice who is around them. Just keep telling yourself that.

One of the joys of getting older (I'm 48) is caring less and less what other people think of how I look or dress and realising that nobody really notices anyway. I don't know about you but I couldn't describe anything anyone I met during my day was wearing. If I don't notice or stare at people, why assume they're doing it to you?

Yes I very much think that’s part of your condition OP. Are you able to work at the moment? I only ask because I’ve recently started working and I am astounded by how much that has actually improved my mental health - I had far too much on my hands previously to worry about things and overthink. I’d worry myself sick about how people perceived me and now I realise - they’re just busy with their own lives the same way I am with mine nowadays. It really made me feel so much better not having that time to worry.
Even if you’re not working for whatever reason, keep busy and stimulated and hopefully medication will help very soon.

I can relate OP. I’d be out and feeling badly dressed (I was), because anxiety and depression left me with little ability to get my act together, and when out I’d find myself hunching, trying to make myself smaller and disappear.

I agree with the PP - it’s rare that anyone is looking, as people are so involved in their own stuff and all their own worries. You are far from alone in this. Remember there are lots of people out there with anxiety and depression too. You can’t tell who, and neither can anyone else.

It will get better but maybe meanwhile when you are out and feeling ‘all wrong’ perhaps just try saying to yourself ‘So what? If I look like a mess, then, so what?’