Shy Extrovert: Is it possible?

[gsmax5]

Do you think it's possible for a person to be in "the act, state, or habit of being predominantly concerned with and obtaining gratification from what is outside the self" (webster's--http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extraversion) but still stay quiet due to fear of humiliation in social situation?

 

[Remus]

I'm more extroverted once I get to know someone (and trust them)

 

[Jake123]

I'm an extrovert stuck inside an introvert.

 

[Harleyq]

It's very possible. Introversion is not the same as shyness. All introversion means (regarding social skills) is that someone needs time to recharge and be alone after a certain amount of interaction. They feel overwhelmed by too much interaction too soon, but it doesn't mean they're afraid of people or that they have bad social skills. I see introversion as eating too much cake, lol. You love cake, you're not afraid to eat cake, and you have no problems approaching it, but after so much, you need to back off and restore your homeostasis.

A shy extrovert desires to be around people and gets energy when constantly interacting with others (as opposed to getting drained and needing to retreat for a little while), yet is afraid to initiate that interaction.

 

[Mikefly]

That's why i avoid people all the time except at work or buisness type ventures. Go to the gym a few times a week, but im deff. introvert.

 

[DownInAHole]

Definitely possible... Before my issues started I was much more outgoing, and making friends was very easy. Those were good days.

 

[blue-roses]

Absolutely possible; the reason I'm so depressed and anxious is because I'm lonely; even the smallest (successful) interaction makes me feel almost normal. Last week I was really looking forward to my dentist's appointment because the dentist is lovely and is always so nice to me. How pathetic is that?! I don't speak to anyone, other than family, anymore unless it's something to do with uni, or I'm shopping, etc. There's another girl at uni who's told me about her problems which sound very much like SA to me (though I haven't told her that) and in a lecture yesterday I had a good chat with her about how we have "off" days where we just can't face talking to people. I felt really contented afterwards and realised a lot of my problems would disappear if I could just have some close, supportive friends...but I can't go through the process of actually making friends, and just when it starts to look like we could be friends I start telling myself that they wouldn't really want to get close to me because I'm so f***ed up, which they'd find out sooner or later...

 

[DillJenkins]

This is what I have. I need to be around others to be happy but I am also afraid to be around others.

Once I am around people I trust I am okay with that type of stuff.

I think I get extroversion from my dad and social anxiety from my mom so this is kinda weird for me. Its like if I didnt have the anxiety I think I would be a true extrovert.

 

[Lorraine Manca]

well, according to jung, the guy who came up with all that stuff, you have both parts fully intact in your personality. One is simply dominant, your that way more often, but not all the time.

 

[ApRiLGeTsAngry77]

People tell me I am extroverted all the time when I think I am introverted and shy.

 

[Harleyq]

People tell me I am extroverted all the time when I think I am introverted and shy.

I think it depends on what kind of people you're around. My bf is an extrovert - he HAS to be around people all the time or he starts to feel depressed and lonely. However, his family members are extreme-extroverts, lol. While my bf needs to be around people, his family needs to not only be around them, but to also make every encounter a party. So whenever my bf refrains from being loud and making a joke every minute or so, they call him an introvert.