Difference between Shyness and Social Anxiety?
- Thread starter R3X
- Start date
IamThisOne
Well-known member
Some people get shy when they are around others but may be able to relax later on after they have been in the situation a while. This I would call shyness.
Social phobia is more like you are afraid of social interactions, you feel intensely nervous and usually remain silent because you are afraid of saying something stupid. You avoid social interactions because you are afraid of being embarrassed or just simply afraid that you will have to talk to someone. After a social interaction you might constantly beat yourself up over something you said or did.
Social phobia is shyness times a thousand.
Social phobia is more like you are afraid of social interactions, you feel intensely nervous and usually remain silent because you are afraid of saying something stupid. You avoid social interactions because you are afraid of being embarrassed or just simply afraid that you will have to talk to someone. After a social interaction you might constantly beat yourself up over something you said or did.
Social phobia is shyness times a thousand.
awkwardamanda
Well-known member
I once read something like, a shy person feels uncomfortable during social situations while a socially anxious person feels uncomfortable anticipating those situations as well. Of course, there's more to it than that, but it's one thing anyway.
hoddesdon
Well-known member
The differences are:
. anticipatory anxiety
. belief that no-one likes them, whatever the evidence to the contrary
. unreasonable assumptions about what will happen
. anticipatory anxiety
On this website there are many threads about having to make a presentation next week, and not being able to stand the stress etc.
. belief that no-one likes them, whatever the evidence to the contrary
A shy person can relax in a benign environment. Someone with social phobia is usually not paying enough attention to the other person to notice, and any clues which are picked up that the person does like them are dismissed as a misperception. Often on this website people say they can not understand why someone they know is their friend.
. unreasonable assumptions about what will happen
Often on this website people explain that the reason they tend not to speak, for example, is because they assume others will criticise it. On occasions when they do speak, and the prediction does not come to pass, they put it down to chance or some other factor.
. anticipatory anxiety
. belief that no-one likes them, whatever the evidence to the contrary
. unreasonable assumptions about what will happen
. anticipatory anxiety
On this website there are many threads about having to make a presentation next week, and not being able to stand the stress etc.
. belief that no-one likes them, whatever the evidence to the contrary
A shy person can relax in a benign environment. Someone with social phobia is usually not paying enough attention to the other person to notice, and any clues which are picked up that the person does like them are dismissed as a misperception. Often on this website people say they can not understand why someone they know is their friend.
. unreasonable assumptions about what will happen
Often on this website people explain that the reason they tend not to speak, for example, is because they assume others will criticise it. On occasions when they do speak, and the prediction does not come to pass, they put it down to chance or some other factor.
StandingJelly
Well-known member
Those who are shy should be able to make friends and keep them easily once they get to know each other. I on the other hand, get to know people, but always seem to have this anxious atmosphere, even with people as close as my older brother -_-
So this uncomfortable uninviting atmosphere repels many people away. I just wish to relax but I just can't seem to, and its become a major part of my life that I don't even realise that I am feeling anxious.
I often get told off by my employer not to look so anxious all the time.
Lol, he says its making him anxious, and I think its starting to piss him off.
Any tips to act out the normal? I'm just relaxing my shoulders right now and put on a smile.
Gosh, so its my turn to type long posts hahas ^^
So this uncomfortable uninviting atmosphere repels many people away. I just wish to relax but I just can't seem to, and its become a major part of my life that I don't even realise that I am feeling anxious.
I often get told off by my employer not to look so anxious all the time.
Lol, he says its making him anxious, and I think its starting to piss him off.
Any tips to act out the normal? I'm just relaxing my shoulders right now and put on a smile.
Gosh, so its my turn to type long posts hahas ^^