Are you shy or socially anxious? Oh, wait, this is supposed to be a blog post. Sorry-I got a bit carried away there.

Let me try that again. Are you shy or socially anxious? How about just being plain confused about the difference between the two? Believe it or not, there really is a difference!

According to an article by ChoosingTheraphy.com

Shyness is common, and it refers to feeling uncomfortable in social situations. Often, if someone feels shy, they can still motivate themselves to perform when needed. Social anxiety, however, is an anxiety disorder that can affect someone’s quality of life.

Comparing The Difference.

The main difference between shyness and social anxiety is how it affects your performance. If you’re feeling shy, chances are that you can still perform when needed. You might be nervous or uncomfortable in social situations, but that doesn’t mean you won’t show up for work or school on time. With social anxiety, however, there’s a strong chance that the symptoms will prevent someone from showing up at all.

Someone with social anxiety may believe that they’ll become so anxious that they can’t go to work or school. They might think that if they try and fail, it will be worse than not trying at all. Or, they may feel too embarrassed to face their friends or coworkers after such an episode.

The symptoms of social anxiety can be very strong and pervasive. In fact, they often prevent people from living the lives they want to live. If you feel like you’re struggling with social anxiety, it’s important to see a mental health professional who specializes in this condition.

How Do Shyness And Social Anxiety Affect People?

Shyness and social anxiety can affect people in different ways. For example, some people may have trouble speaking to anyone except their closest friends or family members. They may be afraid of saying the wrong thing or feel embarrassed if they say something stupid. Other people might get nervous when they have to speak in front of other people but are fine talking one-on-one.

Some people with social anxiety can’t even leave their homes. They might have agoraphobia, which is a fear of being in public places or open spaces. People with social anxiety may also feel nervous about meeting new people or being in crowds. They may worry about what other people think of them, and they often have trouble making friends. Some people get so anxious that their physical symptoms affect their everyday lives. These symptoms can include Sweating, blushing, muscle twitches, and trembling Feeling dizzy and lightheaded Nausea or indigestion, as well as a racing heart rate chest pain Upset stomach Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet Anxiety attacks, are sudden feelings of intense fear, panic, doom, and discomfort that occur for no apparent reason. They can last from a few minutes up to an hour.

Anxiety attacks are not dangerous, but they can be very frightening. A person having an anxiety attack may also feel like he or she is about to pass out or lose control of what’s happening. They may feel like they need to escape from a place where people are present (like a crowd), even if no danger is present.

How Can Social Anxiety Be Overcome?

The most important thing to do when you have social anxiety is not to panic. If you feel that your anxiety is getting out of control, there are some things you can try. Breathe slowly and deeply, in through the nose and out through the mouth. Count to 10 slowly as you breathe in and out (or count one number for every inhalation). Try to think of something that calms you down. This could be a special place in nature or a peaceful memory from the past. It’s also important to accept that you have social anxiety and that it is not your fault. You did not cause your anxiety, but there are things you can do to manage it. If possible, try to find a therapist who specializes in helping people with social anxiety. If you can’t find a therapist, try to find a support group for people with social anxiety. There are many websites that offer free support groups, including this one. You can also read self-help books or try other types of therapy such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT).

What to do about shyness?

The best thing to do is to practice being around people. Try going to social events where other people are, such as parties or school functions. If you feel anxious when hanging out with people, try finding something else to focus on (e.g., drinking a glass of water). Once you get used to being around people, it will be easier to start conversations. Once you feel comfortable with someone, ask them about their interests or hobbies. Also, try joining clubs or volunteering at events where there are a lot of people. The more you practice socializing, the easier it will be to talk with people. If you don’t feel comfortable talking to people in person, try writing them an email or letter. You can also work on your self-esteem by taking care of yourself and doing things that make you feel good about yourself. If you have difficulty talking to people, try these techniques:

-Focus on what the other person is saying and respond appropriately. Don’t worry about what you will say next; just listen.

-Try not to stare at the person or make any unnecessary movements (e.g., playing with your hair). These things distract others from what they are saying.

-If you find yourself not understanding something, ask for clarification. Don’t pretend to understand when you don’t. -Don’t be afraid of silence; it is okay if the conversation stops for a while.

I hope I've been able to take the "shyness vs social anxiety" debate a little further and shed a little light on the differences between these two slightly similar-sounding, but very different disorders. Personally, I was always a bit of a shy person, which affected me more in school than among friends (and more as an adult than when I was younger). Somewhere along the way, though, my personal shyness turned into social anxiety; it's not always easy to tell where one stops and another begins, but we all have our own coping mechanisms to get us through those rough patches. In any case, the difference between shyness and social anxiety can be confusing at times. After reading this article, though, hopefully, you now have a better understanding of how these two are different from each other.

If you have noticed - the way that I wrote down this article is quite different from what I usually do as I am working on having this as a script for a Youtube video. I am planning to create a Youtube page with some voiceovers thus need to work with other stuff.