People usually misconstrue shyness and social anxiety.
Shyness is the initial awkwardness the precedes forced small talk with people you have never met, like at a party or a new job.
Social anxiety is the pervasive intense fear of being judged, humiliated, rejected, or embarrassed in a social setting that leads to anxiety or avoidance.
Social anxiety disorder can have a devastating impact on your education, career success, financial independence, and personal relationships.
Often it will lead to an isolated lifestyle and subsequent depression or substance abuse.
What to learn more about the difference between shyness vs social anxiety? Watch along.
In general, the main symptoms that distinguish shyness from social anxiety are the impairment of functioning that it causes in a person’s life, the intensity of the fear, and the level of avoidance.
The symptoms usually do not go away but get worse as the situation progresses. The person with SAD usually realizes that their fears are unfounded but is still unable to control them.
Disclaimer. As always, this video is meant to be informative and should not be used as a rubric for diagnosis.
If you have any personal questions or concerns regarding this topic, please consult a licensed professional.
If you care about mental health, please read studies about 6 daily habits to reduce stress & anxiety, and 7 things only people with social anxiety will understand.
Source: Psych2Go (Shared via CC-BY)
