Shyness and social anxiety disorder have several things in common. However, they are two very different things. While it is natural to feel nervous and anxious when meeting new people or speaking in front of a crowd, if that nervousness causes severe physical reactions like nausea or panic attacks, then there is a high chance that you are not simply “shy.”
Social anxiety disorder (SAD) or social phobia is a serious mental health condition that is often dismissed as severe shyness. And while this condition has several highly effective treatments available, unfortunately, most people with SAD don’t seek help for it.
This is because they don’t realize that they have an actual mental health condition in the first place. They spend the better part of their lives believing that they are just shy or introverted when in reality their condition is much more complicated.
If you are confused between being shy and having social anxiety disorder and need more clarity, we have got you covered! In this blog post, we will talk about what social anxiety disorder is, its common symptoms, and how it is different from shyness. So, let’s get started!
What Exactly is Social Anxiety Disorder?
Social anxiety disorder or SAD is a psychiatric condition that goes beyond the feelings of simple nervousness or shyness. People dealing with this condition have an unfounded fear of always being watched and scrutinized. They fear that they will end up embarrassing or humiliating themselves in front of other people.
This feeling of uneasiness and fear can get so intense that it causes severe physical reactions like dizziness, heart palpitations, sweating, and even panic attacks. Socially phobic people are highly sensitive to criticism and rejection and suffer from low self-esteem as well.
Social anxiety disorder is one of the most common mental disorders with over 13% of people experiencing its symptoms at some point in their lives.
How is Social Anxiety Disorder Different from Shyness?
On the surface, shyness and SAD are often believed to be the same. After all, they have multiple similar signs. However, when you take a deeper look into both of them, you will find that they are not similar at all. In fact, social anxiety or social phobia and shyness have much less in common than you might believe.
A key difference between shyness and SAD is that shyness is a personality trait, often influenced by a person’s genes. Almost 20% of the general population has the genetic tendency to be shy. On the other hand, social anxiety disorder is a mental health condition that requires proper treatment.
People who are naturally shy often tend to:
- Feel hesitant opening up in the company of new people,
- Avoid speaking in a staff meeting unless they absolutely have to,
- Prefer to communicate via email or texts rather than making phone calls,
- Prefer sticking close to their friends at a party or social gathering.
If the above-mentioned scenarios feel relatable to you, then it is likely you are a shy person. However, shyness is something that wears off as soon as you start feeling comfortable.
For example, you might feel uncomfortable at a party but your shyness begins to ease once you feel welcomed. Similarly, you might feel nervous while talking to strangers but you can easily speak your mind to your friends and colleagues.
Usually, shy people feel somewhat uncomfortable in social situations. For example, you might feel uneasy while going to a party or speaking in front of an audience, but you can handle these situations if necessary. You give yourself a push, go to the podium, and start speaking to the audience. And the more you do it, the more you feel relaxed and comfortable. This is how shyness generally works.
However, social anxiety disorder is something very different. A socially phobic person gets extremely overwhelmed even by simply thinking about social situations like a public speaking event. A person with SAD might want to participate in a social situation but their anxiety and the crippling fear of being humiliated or rejected is so strong that it stops them from doing so.
In simple words, while shyness can make your life somewhat complicated, social anxiety disorder is capable of halting it entirely.
Common Symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder
The symptoms of SAD often begin in childhood or early teenage years and they become more severe with the progression of time.
At the prospect of being in the spotlight, people dealing with the disorder can experience a range of several uncomfortable symptoms. The major ones include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Nausea and dizziness
- Rapid heartbeat
- Panic or temporarily blanking out
- Extreme sweating and physical trembling or shaking
- Difficulty speaking
- Muscle tension
The fear of experiencing such symptoms often aggravates an individual’s social anxiety. It makes them avoid any situation that might trigger such symptoms.
When to Seek Help?
The first thing to know about a social anxiety disorder is that it won’t go away on its own. Sure, you can manage your symptoms but you need to seek professional help so that you can lead a fulfilling and happy life.
If left untreated, social anxiety can have serious repercussions on your personal as well as professional relationships. It can make it difficult for you to participate more fully in your workplace or pursue the relationships and friendships you desire. Over time, an untreated social anxiety disorder will aggravate the feeling of loneliness, low self-esteem, and even depression.
If the symptoms and scenarios mentioned in this piece sound relatable to you and you suspect you might have a social anxiety disorder, seeking professional help will be the best option for you. Treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) have proved to be highly effective in treating social anxiety disorder.
Moreover, by talking with a therapist, you’ll also be able to learn how to effectively manage your anxiety, navigate social situations, and cope with rejection in a better manner.
Conclusion
Dealing with social anxiety disorder can be daunting. However, with the right treatment, support, and a positive mindset, you can manage your anxiety and lead a perfectly normal life.
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