Eye contact panic. The social anxiety symptom of intense discomfort with direct gaze. For years, eye contact felt like a spotlight, an interrogation, an invasion of privacy. Holding eye contact for more than a fleeting moment felt excruciating. I’d dart my eyes away, look at the floor, anything to avoid that intense gaze. Social interactions became a constant dance of eye contact avoidance.
Then, I discovered the “Triangle Trick.” Instead of focusing directly into someone’s eyes, I shifted my gaze slightly. Look at their forehead, the bridge of their nose, or even just slightly to the side of their eyes. It creates the illusion of eye contact without the intensity of direct gaze. Subtle, but incredibly effective.
The Triangle Trick wasn’t about faking connection, but about managing anxiety. It was about finding a middle ground, a way to engage socially without triggering eye contact panic. Eye contact dread lessened, replaced by a more comfortable, less intense form of social interaction. Eye contact doesn’t have to be a staring contest. The Triangle Trick can help you navigate social interactions with more comfort and less panic.