I'm 22 years old an I've notice that everywhere I go people rub their noses at me and sniffle. As well as stare at me with disgust . Ugh its driving me nuts I look in the mirror and don't see anything. As my family they say they don't see anything wrong.but they do it to me as well. I see and hear people laughing making jokes staring at me. I've asked some people what!! They say nothing like they're embarrassed to tell me or look at me like ( you don't know ) I don't know what to do any more! I've tried waxing, different acne cream, bleach, Nair, trim nose hairs, I've tried everything. I shower daily, brush my teeth, deodorant, clean clothes. What is it? Used to be a very social person loved seeing the world. Now I'm embarrassed to do anything ;(

I suggest that you consider counseling and seeing a professional.

Most likely this is all in your mind, It is winter people rub their nose and sniffle, it has nothing to do about you. Some people stare at others, means nothing. People laugh and tell jokes with friends, it does not mean they are talking about you.

You believe everything has to do with you and it does not, Please get professional help

Fr_Chuck is right. Unless you look like Bigfoot and don't realize it, then this is probably all in your mind.

This very same question is asked periodically under different IDs, but they all sound the same, right down to the details.
Unless you have a rotten tooth or pockets around your gums that you can't smell, you have a problem that really, really requires counseling.

kaylagirl, are you thatgirl92, who posted almost the same question about 7 weeks ago?

kaylagirl, are you thatgirl92, who posted almost the same question about 7 weeks ago?
No I'm not thatgirl92... I've tried to right her as well sense we are experiencing the same thing .

This very same question is asked periodically under different IDs, but they all sound the same, right down to the details.
Unless you have a rotten tooth or pockets around your gums that you can't smell, you have a problem that really, really requires counseling.

I do have a dentist appointment.. but you think someone would ttell me if I had bad breath if I asked... maybe its acne, or hair I don't know it just started of no were an Im
Embarrassed;/ can't figure it out .


I suggest that you consider counseling and seeing a professional.

Most likely this is all in your mind, It is winter people rub their nose and sniffle, it has nothing to do about you. Some people stare at others, means nothing. People laugh and tell jokes with friends, it does not mean they are talking about you.

You believe everything has to do with you and it does not, Please get professional help
I didn't say I believe everything is about me . An its obvious when people talk about you while staring and laughing . I have seen a counsler . An it did not help ;/

Don't let the quirks of strangers or others shake your confidence, or lead you down a path of paranoia. Screw them, just be the best you that you can be and let them figure you out. Not the other way around.

I'm glad you are checking out all possible physical reasons, but I worry that you are the age when schizophrenia develops, and I hope that isn't true for you. Various fears such as this (that feel very, very real) can be a first sign of paranoia.

I agree with Talaniman...

Just what I wanted to say...

Don't let the quirks of strangers or others shake your confidence, or lead you down a path of paranoia. Screw them, just be the best you that you can be and let them figure you out. Not the other way around.
Thank you I have been trying.


I'm glad you are checking out all possible physical reasons, but I worry that you are the age when schizophrenia develops, and I hope that isn't true for you. Various fears such as this (that feel very, very real) can be a first sign of paranoia.
Well I did talk to a counsler about that an asked if I could get diagnosed an he told me that he didn't think I was.schizophrenia.

Interesting that he told you what you are not, but what did he suggest you do?

Interesting that he told you what you are not, but what did he suggest you do?

He suggested to talk to my doctor about anxiety medication . But what gives me anxiety is this problem... ;/ so I have been on anxiety meds an still have the same problem . Been trying to figure this out for awhile.. it makes me feel so ugly an humiliated . An when I found this site and seen that others are experiencing as well it was a relief just to know I'm not alone.. its not all in my head.. for something to even get in your head it starts somewhere.. well it started with peoples reaction towards me an how they started looking at my mouth area . I've tried everything! Wax, acne solutions, trim hair.. trying to lose weight cause I did gain a little bit of weight an have tiny lips . Idk. I've tried to explain it an fix it. But how can you fix something if you don't know what it is..

Also what I don't understand is why they rub there nose at me . I know I don't stink. Maybe hair or I don't know I look an see nothing! Buy everyone else does sounds crazy I know. Just want to fix it so I can be happy an confident again not embarrassed!

Also what I don't understand is why they rub there nose at me . I know I don't stink. Maybe hair or idk I look an see nothing!! Buy everyone else does sounds crazy I know. Just wanna fix it so I can be happy an confident again not embarrassed!!
It has nothing to do with you. They are not staring at you for any reason. Your mind and your anxiety are making you think it is about you, but it is not. There is nothing to fix.

Here's some concrete practical questions. Don't answer if you don't want to.

Do you have large breasts under revealing clothes? (Studies show that reaching for the face or neck are primal reactions to various behaviors and sights. A man adjusts his tie, and woman plays with her necklace, both sexes touch their nose, etc.)

How far away are people when they rub their noses?

Can you REALLY say that it happens 'all the time,' or could it be something like half the time, and you might just be acutely sensitive about it? (I rub my nose a lot because it itches a lot, and I sniffle a lot.)

You are going about this backward since you think it's about how people react to you. Its not, its about how you are reacting to them. You don't have a physical problem, you have a perception problem.

How long have you been on these meds? It takes time for them to work effectively and you have to be honest with your doctor about how they affect you, or don't affect you. Getting the right meds at the right dosage is a process.

Has there been a trauma of some sort that this can be traced back too? A life changing event that started this? When did you notice that people were watching you so close? Do you actually have a physical deformity that can be noticed?

You are going about this backward since you think it's about how people react to you. Its not, its about how you are reacting to them. You don't have a physical problem, you have a perception problem.

How long have you been on these meds? It takes time for them to work effectively and you have to be honest with your doctor about how they affect you, or don't affect you. Getting the right meds at the right dosage is a process.

Has there been a trauma of some sort that this can be traced back too? A life changing event that started this? When did you notice that people were watching you so close? Do you actually have a physical deformity that can be noticed?

Know I don't have large breasts, an I have to taking the meds for over 3 months . I'm very honest with my doctor
It all started 3 years ago I was a cashier an notice people doing it so I would go to the bathroom an check . Seen nothing asked.people nothing!! No trauma . I have been through a lot in my life . People can be up close or across the room from me that's why I think maybe acne, hair.,. or weight gain in my face.. also I know a lot of.peoplerub there nose touch there face, fix there tie
But they do it so intensely,an also stare an look at my mouth area. I don't think about it all the time when people react that way of course.I think about it. If.someone kept looking at your hair line or crotch every time they talk or look at you . Would be.wondering whatthe hell. Maybe.not the first time but time after time you would be looking as to why they were doing it

An know I'm.not deformed..

Also the only thing that changed that I can think of is weight gain an I started waxing my upper lip.. been on a good diet though losing weight an my upper lip I do get waxed from time to time . As well as met someone .


It has nothing to do with you. They are not staring at you for any reason. Your mind and your anxiety are making you think it is about you, but it is not. There is nothing to fix.

Its not my mind or anxiety.. I'm not crazy.. or think random! I see what I see. It didn't bother.me at first but when it happen over an over you get to thinking what the heck.. if every single person did.it to u for a long period.of time you would be curious as to why!

No I have never been that self conscious, but it easy to be fooled by over awareness of others and thinking you have flaws that everyone notices. It not much different than catching someone's eye and wondering if there is an instant connection. Or walking in a room that everyone is laughing and you think its about you.

Most just recognize since they really don't know, they dismiss the notion and that's it, but you don't seem to be able to dismiss it, and have to act on it. Just be patient with the meds, and what the doctor says for a while and see what adjustments he makes in the future, and make a conscious decision NOT to act on the first impulse feelings that makes this about you.

Keeping a daily journal may be helpful to you, and your doctor.

No I have never been that self conscious, but it easy to be fooled by over awareness of others and thinking you have flaws that everyone notices. It not much different than catching someone's eye and wondering if there is an instant connection. Or walking in a room that everyone is laughing and you think its about you.

Most just recognize since they really don't know, they dismiss the notion and that's it, but you don't seem to be able to dismiss it, and have to act on it. Just be patient with the meds, and what the doctor says for a while and see what adjustments he makes in the future, and make a conscious decision NOT to act on the first impulse feelings that makes this about you.

Keeping a daily journal may be helpful to you, and your doctor.

I.don't.walk in a room an think that
.. but thank you for advice! An talk .

No you think people touch their nose is about you, or your flaws. For others its about the room of laughing people. Both are examples of being extremely self conscious about yourself.

You have become obsessed over this.

I once went through about a week (maybe less, it seemed like forever) of intense paranoia.
I can't explain it, but it was like a scene in a very scary movie when something is about to happen but I didn't know what. Every swirl of leaves, every bird, every car going by, but mostly what anyone said to me, no matter what it was - was frightening. It went away as fast as it arrived.
People do suffer from long term paranoia, so keep in mind that it's a possibility, and also doctors can be wrong.
One doctor talks to you and suggests that your doctor prescribe anti-anxiety drugs, and they don't work.
I think you need to be seen by a psychiatrist, or a psychologist who can see you several times.

No you think people touch their nose is about you, or your flaws. For others its about the room of laughing people. Both are examples of being extremely self conscious about yourself.

You have become obsessed over this.
No I have not became obsessed.
Just explaining how I feel. Thought I would get better feed back . Was Hoping the other people that has been experiencing the same thing would also write .

No I have not became obsessed.
Just explaining how I feel. Thought I would get better feed back . Was Hoping the other people that has been experiencing the same thing would also write .

I also know that they do it to me because there looking at me an staring . I catch them doing it.. all the time .

I once went through about a week (maybe less, it seemed like forever) of intense paranoia.
I can't explain it, but it was like a scene in a very scary movie when something is about to happen but I didn't know what. Every swirl of leaves, every bird, every car going by, but mostly what anyone said to me, no matter what it was - was frightening. It went away as fast as it arrived.
People do suffer from long term paranoia, so keep in mind that it's a possibility, and also doctors can be wrong.
One doctor talks to you and suggests that your doctor prescribe anti-anxiety drugs, and they don't work.
I think you need to be seen by a psychiatrist, or a psychologist who can see you several times.
I don have medical or insurance.. I'll figure something out though thanks .

maybe these people are bullying you? Are these random people or are they people at school/work that you see often? Perhaps they are doing it on purpose to get to you.

maybe these people are bullying you? Are these random people or are they people at school/work that you see often? Perhaps they are doing it on purpose to get to you.
Ya I think some people do just to get under my skin.. random people any body an everyone... I don understand . I have never had this problem either. I ask people what? An they say nothing . Makes me feel like there embarrassed to tell me or look at me like ( u really don't know. )

Ya I think some people do just to get under my skin .. random people any body an everyone ...I don understand . I have never had this problem either. I ask people what? An they say nothing . Makes me feel like there embarrassed to tell me or look at me like ( u really don't know. )

I was at the store today an my mom even noticed people doing it ;(

kaylagirl, we keep telling you that if there is nothing strange or provocative about how you look, or if you don't smell, then it's all in your mind - you are imagining it. Yet now you say that your mother noticed it too. Maybe she did, maybe she is just giving in to you. The only thing I could possibly think of that is happening is that YOU are glaring at them in fear or anger at anticipation of being stared at.
I am really worried for you, and think that you need to see a psychiatrist. I know it's very real to you, but if people have no reason to stare, then they are not! We aren't there! Find a therapist who is willing to walk around a city block with you.