Social Anxiety Forums

Lovely · Anonymous

I have social anxiety. I am 18 years old female who is Muslim. People see that I cover my hair, they think I'm a terrorist so that gives me social anxiety. I'm sick and tire of when I'm walking, people looking at me in a scared way. I'm thinking about just dropping out of this college.

Wise Owl · Anonymous

Please do not drop out of college because of what you perceive to be a hostile attitude. Perhaps you interpret blank stares as a sign of fear. As a teacher, and lecturer, I can assure you that I have had students who did not cover their hair and yet felt as you do, namely they thought they were being ostracised by others because of the colour of their skin or some other reason. I am sure that your fellow students do not think you are a terrorist. Has anyone actually told you that it is what they believe? Have you no friends you can talk to or relate to, or perhaps a lecturer you can confide in and to whom you can explain your feelings of insecurity?
You do not say what you are studying, but really try to think about your studies in a positive way. You are at college to better yourself and ensure a better future for you and your eventual family. If you see everyone as an enemy, they might feel you are cutting them off and they may be afraid of upsetting you by approaching you. You are then caught in a vicious circle and a situation that perpetrates itself. Try to relax a little, and be smiling open and friendly. It will ease the tension. Perhaps you can take the initiative and approach someone who seems quiet and lonely on your course and you may find they have feelings just like yours, even though they are not wearing a scarf over their head.
Many students your age feel isolated in college, irrespective of their nationality, their colour or their faith, and I can assure this feeling will pass eventally.There are more good people up there than bad ones and you can see from these answers that people are kind, respect your convictions and feel concern for your sadness and isolation. So take courage and do not be afraid of others. They too have problems that you probably are unaware of. These may be the cause of their looking anxious, and has nothing to do with you or your appearance.

Purple · Anonymous

Medication did wonders for my Social Anxiety Disorder. Go and see your doctor.

Buchy · Anonymous

Aye, I'm socially anxious as well, and also technically a Muslim. I wasn't raised in a family where people cover their hair, but I respect everyone's beliefs and choices. If they are telling you that you're a terrorist, they are pigs and you should indeed find yourself a new place to study, for not every place is like that. However, if you just think they stare at you and think they say those things behind your back, then it might be just your social anxiousness. Try not to care about other peoples' opinions. That's how I survive.

Justbeing · Anonymous

This is so sad. But you are a strong woman inside, and you don't have to let people's stupidity take over your life. It will set a pattern for the future.

Take refuge in what your faith and the observing of it gives you.

Gack · Anonymous

Don’t take it so personally. Every human is afraid of people they don’t know. Normal well adjusted people are afraid of what is not familiar, it’s a natural instinct. In reality most people are probably not thinking that you’re a terrorist they are more than likely afraid you don’t speak the same language and might ask them a question.

Rik · Anonymous

Consider yourself lucky. I have social anxiety and if i had some form of garment i could hide inside i'd feel a lot more relaxed. Don't forget they arn't looking at YOU, just the 'headscarf'.

Only you think they think that your a terrorist. That's the nature of SA .

If it bothers you that much remove it and see how people react.