shy v.s. anxiety (introvert, introversion, people)

[purplepeach]

What is the difference between being shy and having social anxiety?

[Davros]

They are the same. However, social anxiety disorder is a very severe form of shyness.

[purplepeach]

and how do they compare to being an introvert?

[oregonwoodsmoke]

No, not the same at all. Shy is all the time, social anxiety is intermittent.

[Tracysherm]

Some introverts have shyness or social anxiety, some do not. Some extraverts have shyness or social anxiety, and some do not.

Introversion and extraversion are about your preferences regarding social contacts, and how you get energized vs. what depletes your energy.

Social anxiety is another term for shyness. If it's extreme it can become Social Anxiety Disorder. If it's very extreme, a lifelong pattern, and results in dysfunction, it can go into Avoidant Personality Disorder. It's kind of a continuum.

But introversion simply means a person gets drained of energy by small talk and big social events, and gets energized by time alone or time in important one-on-on conversation.

People who are shy (have social anxiety) but who feel lonely, don't like being alone, and crave social interaction are likely extraverts who happen to have social anxiety. They are more likely to feel negative effects from their shyness and seek help. People who are shy (have social anxiety) but who don't necessarily crave social contact, and who enjoy being alone doing solitary activities, are likely introverts who happen to have social anxiety. Their shyness might come up occasionally as a problem, but they are less likely to be distressed by their shyness.