Many people get shyness and social anxiety confused, or often mistaken for the same thing. Social anxiety and shyness are far from being alike. Shyness is simply a tolerable discomfort, whereas social anxiety is a phobia. But how can we tell them apart?
Shyness is the tendency to feel awkward, worried or tense during social encounters, especially with unfamiliar people. Many people experience some shyness and discomfort, especially in new situations or with unfamiliar people. However, it’s generally tolerable once you warm up and relax after a while. (Social Anxiety vs. Shyness: The Difference Between Social Anxiety and Shyness by Jenny C. YIP, PSY.D)
Shyness is more of a label describing people who want to interact with others, but can’t do it so comfortably. Most people will feel shyness at some point in their life in situations that take you out of your comfort zones like job
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Social anxiety disorder may be a learned behavior. Some people may develop the condition after an embarrassing social situation. Some researchers believe the amygdala in the brain may play a role in fear response. It seems to be that it might be a genetic trait.
Social anxiety disorder is a lifelong condition for many people, usually changing in how severe it is. Treatments can help people control their symptoms and gain confidence. Psychotherapy and medications are considered to be the most effective treatments. Psychotherapy is a psychological treatment that uses a variety of techniques to help the person view themselves and their problems in a more realistic light and overcome and cope with them effectively.
Cognitive behavioral therapy has been shown to improve symptoms a great deal. CBT helps the patient realize that it is their own thoughts, rather than other people, that determine how they react or behave. In this type of psychotherapy, the patient learns how to recognize and change negative thoughts about