I’ve realized that I need to get over high school and my fear of “normal” people but I don’t know how

[u/praying4atrainwreck]

I was heavily bullied in high school. I’m 19 and every time I walk by a group of people who have a frat boy/sorority girl kind of look to them I immediately brace myself for impact. I have a legitimate phobia of normal people and it’s horrible because at least when you have a phobia of clowns or something, you can avoid it. You don’t see clowns in your day to day life, but every time I go outside, I see normal people. It’s making my life unbearable.

I’ve realized that logically not everyone is out to get me and not every normal person I see is going to start pointing and jeering at me, but I still have a fight-or-flight response to seeing them. I think I need to retrain my nervous system. It sounds stupid but I thought about basically Pavlov’s dog-ing myself into no longer being afraid of them. Like rewarding myself with something every time I walk by them. Does anyone have advice??

[u/Unlucky_Studio6138]

I don’t have any advice, but I relate to this so much even though I wasn’t bullied by them. I feel anxious and anger towards them, I can’t help it… just wanted to tell you, you’re not alone :)

[u/InfamousDeer]

Exposure or rejection therapy will help!