by Murray Heintz, Registered Psychologist

 

Is it Shyness or Social Anxiety?

Shyness and social anxiety disorder share many characteristics, which is why many people think of them or use them interchangeably. They are different. Shyness involves feeling reserved or uncomfortable in social situations. Social anxiety, on the other hand, is more severe and causes people to experience fear and avoidance of social situations.

What adds to this confusion is the many traits found in both shyness and social anxiety disorder.

· Blushing in social situations

· Fear of feeling embarrassed in social situations

· Racing heartbeat

· Sweating

· Worrying about how others see them

· Negative self-evaluations

· Stomach upset

· Trouble making eye contact

· Feeling awkward during social experiences

· Self-consciousness

· Speaking softly and maintaining a rigid body posture

There are differences between the two. Shyness is a trait that emerges in childhood and causes people to feel uncomfortable or nervous in social situations or settings. Social anxiety disorder is a mental health condition that causes people to experience symptoms of anxiety that cause them to avoid social situations or severely impair their functionality. Social anxiety disorder has increased functional impairment, high levels of fear, and high levels of avoidant behavior associated with social interactions. These feelings rarely subside the longer a person is in a social situation, as they would for someone who is shy.

If you suspect that you may be experiencing social anxiety, I would love to meet with you to discuss it further.