Introversion vs Social Anxiety

Introversion is Not Social Anxiety

We can confuse introversion with social anxiety, but they’re very different.

Introversion is a personality characteristic where we feel re-energized by spending alone time. It doesn’t mean we don’t also like being around people.

However, social anxiety can be very severe and debilitating where we excessively worry about public humiliation and embarrassment.

Learning how to respond to social anxiety with mindfulness, radical self-acceptance and compassion often requires extra professional assistance.

Being an introvert is a way of fueling ourselves while social anxiety is a way of feuding with ourselves.

Introversion is when we need alone time and down time to give us energy.

Introverts enjoy time with others but typically prefer a smaller group of close friends.

Social anxiety plagues us most when we fear public humiliation or rejection.

Social anxiety is not shyness but rather an extreme fear in social settings.

Characteristics of Social Anxiety:

• avoiding social situations
• worrying for days/weeks before social event
• experiencing physical sensations (blushing, sweating, rapid heart rate, nausea, trembling, etc.)

• worrying if people will notice how anxious we are
• skipping work and school
• extreme fear of public humiliation and embarrassment
• using substances to self-soothe

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