I do not feel this way anymore but I was pretty skinny in my late teens,
early 20s. I ran track in college..mile and half mile..so I needed to be thin. I'm 5 ft 9 in and weighed 135 lbs. then. More like 180 lbs now.
I sent you a friend request as only friends can view my pictures [taken in the last month]. Just
accept the request and you can see that it is possible to change your appearance if you have the desire. I am 60 yrs old and had a heart attack 7 1/2 yrs ago.
You might consider carrying pepper spray . Maybe it would give you the confidence that you could defend yourself. They make pepper spray that will defend against bear attacks, so its pretty effective .

Anxiety is bad enough without walking around in physical fear.
I would be glad to discuss in a private message if it will help.

I have axierty too. I get pick on about my axierty. I think some people just like to be mean to other. They like to find something to pick on the other person with. If you change the way you look they are might find something else to pick on you about. You should not change the way you look for anyone but for your shelf. If someone do not like the way you then they do not have to talk to you. A other thing you show them that you are scary and they will keep doing it. If you show that you are not scary and they would pro stop because it not fun for them anymore. The reason is you are not be scary or show anything to them. I am not a tall person. I am only 5 feet and 4 inch tall. I hope things get better for you. Hugs

Here's what I learned when I started to stand up for myself, just in appearing bigger than I actually am. I'm five foot + inch and half.

Practice standing in front of mirror like you own the area you're standing in. Then add steps so you can see your confidence in the mirror. This experiment will show you the difference in making your back, shoulders, legs, arms, head all work together naturally.

The fear we often feel about something bigger than us is noticeable to others, some people show compassion, others show meanness. This is their perception of themselves, not you. When someone is being mean to me, I tell them thank you for noticing and walk away. Pepper spray is a good option to have on hand as a reminder that you have control of your space around you.

The change you make in your thinking pattern will give you strength to stand courageously and display your bravery to those who wish to be fearful. You can do this!

Best wishes!

I've heard it's hard to be a short guy. There is so much societal pressure on guys to be tall.

I'm a petite 5'4' woman, so while I don't get the pressure too be tall I have been physically abused by boyfriends and was bullied pretty bad as a kid.

Now I carry pepper spray on my keychain at all times when I am outside, and i will say it has helped me to feel safer.

I seriously recommend martial arts or something. Jackie chan was not a large man.

Seriously. Take some jiu jitsu classes at a club that also has open sparring in a striking art. You just need to learn that getting punched isn't all that bad, and that the big dangerous haymakers that might actually hurt you are ridiculously easy to avoid as long as your eyes aren't scrunched shut in fear. It will do wonders for your confidence when you know that you could easily choke unconscious a much larger opponent and jiu jitsu is famous for that. On YouTube you can see a 165 lb jiu jitsu fighter dismantle a 300+ pound NFL linebacker in about 1 minute. Doesn't mean you have to use it but your own sense of personal security and safety should go through the roof. Other worthwhile arts for smaller guys are combat Sambo (Russian military) , and Krav Maga which was designed for the Israeli military to be able to be used effectively in a short period of time. It's used by their special forces too. It will also get you out and moving too and they say exercise is a big component in combating anxiety, so it's a win, win kind of situation.