Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Introversion?What Is Social Anxiety?Similarities and DifferencesCan extroverts have social anxiety?When a Trait Is Actually a DisorderCould I Have Undiagnosed Social Anxiety?
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Introversion?
What Is Social Anxiety?
Similarities and Differences
Can extroverts have social anxiety?
When a Trait Is Actually a Disorder
Could I Have Undiagnosed Social Anxiety?
Close
The terms “introversion” and “social anxiety” get thrown around a lot these days, and you might think they’re interchangeable—they both mean you don’t like being around people, right? Wrong!
Although these two things do have elements in common, introversion and social anxiety are distinct from one another in a few notable ways. Read on to learn more about each and what makes them different from each other.
fizkes / iStock / Getty
Although the expression of these traits can vary, introverts may be more quiet and withdrawn than their extroverted counterparts. They may appear contemplative or be more likely to be reserved and deliberate in their actions, and prefer to work independently rather than in a group.
However, just like most things that have to do with personality, introversion (and extroversion) exists on a spectrum. There are few who could be considered a “true” introvert—most people areambiverts, having both introvert and extrovert tendencies.
It’s overly simplistic to think of introversion as one blanket term describing people who have a more inward focus.
Experiencing temporary bouts of social anxiety is quite natural, however sometimes individuals can suffer from this to a degree it is considered a type of anxiety disorder known as social anxiety disorder or “social phobia”. According to some research, around 7% of people in the United States may suffer from this condition.
This might come up in a wide variety of situations—everything from meeting new people tospeaking in publicto dating to having to talk to strangers in everyday circumstances (like checking out at the grocery store).
These social situations are avoided or endured with significant distress. For the clinical diagnosis to be made, these symptoms have to be persistent and cause significant distress or impairment in different areas of one’s functioning in life.
Someone with social anxiety might obsess for weeks about upcoming social events and the fear of judgment or embarrassment in public is so overwhelming that it can lead to the chronic avoidance of social situations.
Although they are completely different conditions (and the word “condition” does not actually apply to introversion), introversion and social anxiety do share some characteristics. Both might lead someone to spend more time alone, and both introverts and those with social anxiety might actively avoid social situations.
In addition, introversion is a personality trait, not a diagnosable condition like social anxiety disorder. And perhaps most importantly, introversion does not interfere with day-to-day functioning or cause marked distress, whereas social anxiety absolutely does.
Unlike introversion, which does not require any sort of treatment, treatment for social anxiety disorder may be required. This this often takes the form of psychotherapy, medications like certain antidepressants, or both.
It’s also important to keep in mind that introversion and social anxiety disorder are not mutually exclusive—an introvert can also have social anxiety disorder, and someone with social anxiety disorder can also be an introvert.
It can be difficult to distinguish a trait like introversion from a disorder like social anxiety disorder, but there are some clues to follow.
First of all, a disorder disrupts your daily life. If your fear and avoidance of social situations means you cannot go out in public and it is preventing you from doing things you otherwise would like to do or need to do, that’s a sign that what you’re experiencing is more serious than just a personality trait.
In addition, someone with social anxiety disorder generally feels like their anxiety is beyond their control. This is different from introversion, which generally means that you prefer solitude and might feel a need to withdrawal from social situations to recharge, but you are able to engage socially when wanted or needed.
People with severe social anxiety disorder often cannot. Their debilitating fear keeps them from socializing or going out in public rather than choosing alone time over a social event when given the choice.
If you are experiencing any of the following, it might be time to talk to a doctor or therapist about your anxiety:
However, it is also important to keep in mind that it is completely normal to have some level of social anxiety. Many people feel anxious about certain social situations, like public speaking or talking to strangers—it is when these feelings are overwhelming and keep you from living the life you’d like to live that it becomes diagnosable as social anxiety disorder.
Final Thoughts
1 SourceVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Rose GM, Tadi P.Social Anxiety Disorder. [Updated 2022 Oct 25]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-.
1 Source
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Rose GM, Tadi P.Social Anxiety Disorder. [Updated 2022 Oct 25]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-.
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Rose GM, Tadi P.Social Anxiety Disorder. [Updated 2022 Oct 25]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-.
Meet Our Review Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit
What is your feedback?
