# No Eye contact without a smile is very uncomfortable **URL:** \ **Category:** Diagnosed Sz or Sza\ **Created:** [July 24, 2026, 1:31pm UTC](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/t/no-eye-contact-without-a-smile-is-very-uncomfortable/7364 "2026-07-24T13:31:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ducky](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex012/user_avatar/schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/ducky/32/16791_2.png) [@Ducky](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/u/Ducky)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2026, 1:31pm UTC](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/t/no-eye-contact-without-a-smile-is-very-uncomfortable/7364/1 "2026-07-24T13:31:40Z")
After spending a lot of time in waiting rooms this week , i really noticed how uncomfortable no eye contact / or eye contact without a smile was. I think its a bit of basic respect for a person to acknowledge them, you know if your sat opposite them I prefer making eye contact and smiling then the person feels better and i do too, i can tell A few people made light conversation with me which was good while i was smoking, even though it was a little strained But people with no eye contact who were whispering or even talking loudly. It made me paranoid they we"re doing it about me or to offend me? Very uncomfortable Just a bit of analysis Does anyone else understand/ thoughts? ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Hope](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex012/user_avatar/schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/mr_hope/32/7092_2.png) [@Mr\_Hope](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/u/Mr_Hope)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2026, 1:35pm UTC](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/t/no-eye-contact-without-a-smile-is-very-uncomfortable/7364/2 "2026-07-24T13:35:56Z")
The AP makes me pretty clunky when it comes to social interaction. My instincts are supressed. It’s hard to find the right moment to say hello, or goodbye or when to look and smile at someone, etcetera. I try to do my best, but sometimes I miss the mark. ---
**Author:** ![Ducky](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex012/user_avatar/schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/ducky/32/16791_2.png) [@Ducky](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/u/Ducky)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2026, 2:06pm UTC](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/t/no-eye-contact-without-a-smile-is-very-uncomfortable/7364/3 "2026-07-24T14:06:30Z")
Yea i guess i just got a lot of practice at it waiting in busy waiting areas. Im getting better at it all of a sudden Maybe next time your sat opposite someone, in close proximity, you can smile friendly at them then they relax and if they want to ask you anything thats fine. Idk if women are better at it? But some people are plain rude yep, came across a few of those One woman really offended me until we made proper eye contact and we talked then and broke the ice and we we’re civil ---
**Author:** ![Ducky](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex012/user_avatar/schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/ducky/32/16791_2.png) [@Ducky](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/u/Ducky)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2026, 2:11pm UTC](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/t/no-eye-contact-without-a-smile-is-very-uncomfortable/7364/4 "2026-07-24T14:11:26Z")
@Mr_Hope If you smiled and made eye contact at the first opportunity, it shows your friendly Only say ‘bye’ if youve had a conversation with them over something because otherwise its daft And people like talking about themselves, remember that! ---
**Author:** ![2Waynez](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex012/user_avatar/schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/2waynez/32/176_2.png) [@2Waynez](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/u/2Waynez)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2026, 2:32pm UTC](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/t/no-eye-contact-without-a-smile-is-very-uncomfortable/7364/5 "2026-07-24T14:32:11Z")
I was outgoing before I got sick. In highschool I kept to myself, never went most days. Just did homework and left. Now, I can be performative because I got sick at 35. I had plenty of time to gain social skills. I’m uncomfortable around people regardless of how they act. But I perform. ---
**Author:** ![Lilyofthevalley](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex012/user_avatar/schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/lilyofthevalley/32/52_2.png) [@Lilyofthevalley](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/u/Lilyofthevalley)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2026, 2:57pm UTC](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/t/no-eye-contact-without-a-smile-is-very-uncomfortable/7364/6 "2026-07-24T14:57:38Z")
Smiling at strangers is part of American culture. It’s not like that everywhere. In some countries, smiling at strangers is uncomfortable to people, But, I do usually smile at strangers unless I’m at the gym. I don’t want to make eye contact there. I want to be unnoticed and unanimous there. ---
**Author:** ![Agent101g](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex012/user_avatar/schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/agent101g/32/8202_2.png) [@Agent101g](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/u/Agent101g)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2026, 3:01pm UTC](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/t/no-eye-contact-without-a-smile-is-very-uncomfortable/7364/7 "2026-07-24T15:01:44Z")
My stepdad used to psycho stare me in the eyes while he was slamming me on the ground, choking me and screaming in my face during my childhood. I don’t do well with eye contact. I’ll look at your forehead or your chin but that’s the best I can do. ---
**Author:** ![Lilyofthevalley](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex012/user_avatar/schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/lilyofthevalley/32/52_2.png) [@Lilyofthevalley](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/u/Lilyofthevalley)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2026, 3:03pm UTC](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/t/no-eye-contact-without-a-smile-is-very-uncomfortable/7364/8 "2026-07-24T15:03:38Z")
I’m so sorry @Agent101g ---
**Author:** ![Agent101g](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex012/user_avatar/schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/agent101g/32/8202_2.png) [@Agent101g](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/u/Agent101g)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2026, 3:04pm UTC](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/t/no-eye-contact-without-a-smile-is-very-uncomfortable/7364/9 "2026-07-24T15:04:50Z")
NP it’s in the past, just mentioning it because I think it’s important to remember some people have good reason for not being able to do eye contact. ---
**Author:** ![Dika](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex012/user_avatar/schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/dika/32/9061_2.png) [@Dika](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/u/Dika)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2026, 4:11pm UTC](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/t/no-eye-contact-without-a-smile-is-very-uncomfortable/7364/10 "2026-07-24T16:11:31Z")
I’m not good at eye contact especially if I’m the one talking or if we’re both quiet. But if they talk then it’s easier for me to look at them in the eyes. If I’m talking I look down. ---
**Author:** ![Ducky](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex012/user_avatar/schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/ducky/32/16791_2.png) [@Ducky](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/u/Ducky)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2026, 8:46pm UTC](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/t/no-eye-contact-without-a-smile-is-very-uncomfortable/7364/11 "2026-07-24T20:46:26Z")
Yes @Agent101g sorry you went through awful time ---
**Author:** ![Ducky](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex012/user_avatar/schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/ducky/32/16791_2.png) [@Ducky](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/u/Ducky)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2026, 8:48pm UTC](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/t/no-eye-contact-without-a-smile-is-very-uncomfortable/7364/12 "2026-07-24T20:48:43Z")
Yes @2Waynez thats about where i’m at ---
**Author:** ![Ducky](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex012/user_avatar/schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/ducky/32/16791_2.png) [@Ducky](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/u/Ducky)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2026, 8:49pm UTC](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/t/no-eye-contact-without-a-smile-is-very-uncomfortable/7364/13 "2026-07-24T20:49:31Z")
Yes its different at the gym @Lilyofthevalley ---
**Author:** ![Ducky](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex012/user_avatar/schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/ducky/32/16791_2.png) [@Ducky](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/u/Ducky)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2026, 8:51pm UTC](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/t/no-eye-contact-without-a-smile-is-very-uncomfortable/7364/14 "2026-07-24T20:51:36Z")
I think thats quite common @Dika to have a mixture, nobody rarely makes eye contact continuously ---
**Author:** ![TumbleBee](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex012/user_avatar/schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/tumblebee/32/6298_2.png) [@TumbleBee](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/u/TumbleBee)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2026, 8:56pm UTC](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/t/no-eye-contact-without-a-smile-is-very-uncomfortable/7364/15 "2026-07-24T20:56:11Z")
Three Mississippi’s 👀 ---
**Author:** ![sweetpotatopie](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex012/user_avatar/schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/sweetpotatopie/32/8234_2.png) [@sweetpotatopie](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/u/sweetpotatopie)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2026, 2:37am UTC](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/t/no-eye-contact-without-a-smile-is-very-uncomfortable/7364/16 "2026-08-17T02:37:04Z")