She has helped me navigate my emotions to have a better understanding and control of them. There are two primary types of xenophobia: The desire to belong to a group is pervasive—and strong identification with a particular group can even be healthy. However, it may also lead to suspicion of those who are perceived to not belong. And, you don't know how to start a conversation when you're faced with having to talk with someone. J Public Health Policy. If someone laughs, that’s the perfect conversation starter. Our website services, content, and products Xenophobia, or fear of strangers, is a broad term that may be applied to any fear of someone who is different from us. Then you will picture something like the sun setting over the horizon, and with this relaxing image, you will start to settle down. Maybe they’ve been harassed by people before and assume you have bad intentions. Your privacy is important to us. Seeking Help for Your Fear Consider the impact of your fear. Knowing how to deal with the occasional rejection or unpleasant encounter. I've been able to leave some toxic relationships that weren't serving me, and now feel equipped to not only face life but to enjoy the richness and fullness of it. Even if it’s not at anyone directly, chances are people will hear and react to you. Xenophobia has also led to acts of discrimination, violence, and genocide throughout the world, including: Recent examples in the United States include discrimination toward people of Middle Eastern descent (often referred to as "Islamophobia") and xenophobic attitudes towards Mexican and Latinx immigrants. Your mind is racing. You should not take any action or avoid taking any action without consulting with a qualified mental health professional. At the same time though you have to have a sense of self-protection. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. Johnna Medina, Ph.D. is an author, researcher, and graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. We use BetterHelp and third-party cookies and web beacons to help the site function properly, analyze usage, and measure the effectiveness of our ads. Why the “Stress Hormone” Is Public Enemy No. The problem isn’t you, it’s your behavior, so examine what you could have done better. Some people with social anxiety have specific fears, such as public speaking or needing to talk to their boss about a concern at work. Exposure to the feared social situation almost invariably provokes anxiety, which may take the form of a situationally-bound or situationally-predisposed panic attack. Hostility towards outsiders is often a reaction to fear. It typically involves the belief that there is a conflict between an individual's ingroup and an outgroup. That hardest part of talking to strangers is getting started. National Institute of Mental Health. Your email address will not be published. Professor Tanya Byron sitting in for Michael Rosen on talking to strangers.