Difference between shyness and SA

I often see people mix these up. But I don't necessarilly think both of these are same. I think shyness is more of a personality trait while SA is much more than that. What do you guys think about it? Also what are the basic differences?
 
U

userremoved

Guest
The problem I see is people interchanging between social anxiety and social anxiety disorder. The word disorder implies that its some kind of mental illness. But if you read any books on the subject they'll say shyness and social anxiety are the same thing since every human being experiences some measure of social fear. Or you could say social phobia to be more specific and clear up any confusion. With the word phobia implying its more intense than normal social fears. Like lots of people are afraid of spiders, but not everyone has arachnophobia and everyone experiences social anxieties, but not everyone is crippled by a social anxiety disorder.
 
Shyness, unlike SA, doesn't cripple your ability to function normally and socially.
This

The problem I see is people interchanging between social anxiety and social anxiety disorder. The word disorder implies that its some kind of mental illness. But if you read any books on the subject they'll say shyness and social anxiety are the same thing since every human being experiences some measure of social fear. Or you could say social phobia to be more specific and clear up any confusion. With the word phobia implying its more intense than normal social fears. Like lots of people are afraid of spiders, but not everyone has arachnophobia and everyone experiences social anxieties, but not everyone is crippled by a social anxiety disorder.

And this. I know a ton of people who are shy. Yet they manage to function in life - work, relationships, social gatherings etc.
Social anxiety disorder (or social phobia as I prefer to call it) actually is a phobia that goes hand in hand with other psychological disorders, especially when not diagnosed and treated early on - agoraphobia and depressoin for example.
 

ScaredToBreathe

Well-known member
shyness is a personality trait.
SA is a disorder and mental illness. it can be described as extreme shyness, though it is different from being shy.
people who are shy do not get as anxious and for as long as people with SA.

Example of shyness:
When Bob went on his first date he was nervous and didn't want to mess up.

Example of SA:
When Bob went on his first date he was so afraid that he regreted going. He thought his date wouldn't like him and would be better off with someone else.

I am not shy. I have SA. If I didn't have SA I would be an outgoing person because I love being around friends, going to parties, and acting loud and silly. my SA makes these activities less enjoyable and way more uncomfortable. That's how I know I'm not shy.

If you are shy (and you have SA) it would mean that if you didn't have SA you would still be timid when approahing people (but not to the point where you can't approach them) and enjoy desolate, unsocial activities more than social ones. If you're not shy you can still enjoy these activities but also enjoy taking part in various social events and outings.
 

Mokkat

Well-known member
you can be an extroverted person, content with being the center of attention normally, who has decreased quality of life because of inexplicable panic attacks and physical anxiety symptoms.

you can also be a very shy and introverted person, who dont have a problem with socializing, speaking in public, etc at all if you prepare accordingly.




Personally, Im not really a shy person. I have lived the life of am emotional shut-in though, with physical anxiety, depression, paranoia, no confidence, etc.
Put me in a date situation with a shy quiet girl, and she would probably think I was a nutcase or weirdo from my unstable and wrecked personality - not like the "normal" guys she usually dates
 

LifeInternal88

Well-known member
I don't know if there is an official defining difference. A difference is difficult to point to, as one word is often used in the definition of the other.

But then everything we say here is based on the definitions (or how you have met the words before). We could just make up our own words to represnt certain symptoms if we wanted. And then through common use, they become official words, and our problem of demarcation is solved!
 
U

userremoved

Guest
And this. I know a ton of people who are shy. Yet they manage to function in life - work, relationships, social gatherings etc.

This is why I question if I even have a problem at all. The doctor said I had "social anxiety" but he never said if I had any actual disorder or mental illness. I've been able to hold a job, I've made friends over the years (though it was difficult) and I can survive social gatherings (though they are also VERY difficult). The only thing my anxiety has really crippled in my life is romance and dating. Other than that I can live a "relatively" normal life, though a strained one. So Im not quite sure what you would call me really.
 
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