I had this problem for a while now. When I make eye contact with someone my focus shifts to myself and I become very self-aware to the point where it triggers a fight or flight response. It makes me feel very uncomfortable and for this reason I avoid places where I have to have a one on one interaction with anyone because I'm afraid the fight or flight response will activate again. I have a theory why this happens. I think eye contact requires you to have a sense of confidence in yourself. Dissociation makes you feel like you are fake and not operating from a solid sense of self. Does anyone have any experience with this feeling?
When my PTSD is triggered, I find that I HAVE to close my eyes when I talk with my partner or anyone important to me. By turning "off" one of my senses, I am more able to communicate.
My trauma therapist says that this is a trauma response and my brain in trying to cool itself down. My most recent homework for therapy is to thank my brain for protecting me each time I dissociate.