what exactly does being introverted mean?

[Rise Against]

Is there a difference between being shy and being introverted? Because i honestly view myself as an extrovert when im around people im comfortable with.

 

[purplesocial]

Nothing strange about suffering from SAD and feeling "extroverted" when you're around people you're comfortable with. In fact, this is a classic scenario.


When you're with strangers all sorts of associations come up, like a flood of hormones that make you suffer from the panic attacks, worry about coming off like an idiot etc. When you're comfortable at home, all sorts of associations come up like a flood of hormones, and you start chattering away maybe even unconsciously making up for your SAD by being TOO talkative at home ::

This makes me believe that there are different types of SAD, and this particular type that you, and many people here have is more an automatic behavioral response that can be reprogrammed using all the various bits of wisdom that you could find in the previous posts here.


Introversion is about where you get your energy. A lot of entertainers including comedians and actors would consider themselves introverted even if they can work a crowded room like putty in their hands. They just need that time alone to collect themselves again.

If they do a study I honestly won't be surprised if they find out that more entertainers are introverted than extroverted. Entertainers are usually insightful about human nature (especially the master actors and comedians) and that takes a level of observation and introspection that might bore extroverted people. So , yes there is a difference between being shy and being introverted.

 

[lurknomore]

Maybe I'm wrong, but perhaps there is a scale that ranges from extreme introversion to extreme extraversion- with most people lying in the middle somewhere- maybe closer to one side or the other, but I think most people crave some level of human interaction. Being shy just means that you have a more difficult time talking to people, not that you don't want any friends. And the more introverted you are, you likely crave either fewer friends or less time with those friends (more self time).

 

[kayelle]

I used to be really extroverted. I would smile manically and be loud and hyper around everyone.
What I was trying to do was cover up the real me, cos I felt so unworthy. I had been so shy when I was younger and had had no friends, and so when I reached about 12 I decided to cover up the real me and became really extroverted to cover that up.

I realise now that that just made the anxiety worse.

 

[littl3misstrange]

i've always been somewhat introverted, i think. i just receded more into myself when i entered my teen years & became more aware of myself & how people perceived me.

 

[Psychedelicious]

When the moon falls right out of your pocket

I think the two are different. Introverted is more like a way that you are, and shy is more like a reaction to fears or insecurites that you have. So I can see how you can be more of an extrovert and still be shy.

I however am EXTREMELY introverted and always have been, so like I'm not sociable to begin with. Or do I really want to be? I just want to functional.

 

[j_brown2]

of course there is a difference. I used to be Introverted which meant like I was my own best friend, playing alone with LEGO was the most fun. In social situation what was going on around me I didn't share with anyone. Like I had the fun in my head, I listened to people but didn't feel the need or wish to share what I think or feel like. Yea has nothing to do with shyness. I was still shy around strangers though and even then in my teenage years when I changed to being extroverted I was still shy around strangers

I liked it when I was introverted, I was at peace with myself and I liked myself. The outside world wasn't so noisy back then. Now Iam going all crazy about what other people think and don't care what I think. Could be Iam mixing things up now and not making much sense so I will stop it here