The difference between introversion and social anxiety

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? Bad!

Although these two things have elements in common, introversion and social anxiety differ from each other in some notable ways. Read on to learn more about each and what makes them different.

What is introversion?

Introversion and extroversion are two central personality traits originally described by Carl Jung. Introversion is basically a preference for solitude or more intimate settings, reflection and the need for time alone to “recharge”. Introverts’ social batteries are recharged by being alone, while extroverts feel “fed” when they’re with others.

However, like most things to do with personality, introversion (and extroversion) exists on a spectrum. There are few who can be considered true introverts, most people are ambivalent, with both introverted and extroverted tendencies.

It is too simplistic to think of introversion as a blanket term that describes people who have a more inward focus.

What is social anxiety?

Experiencing temporary bouts of social anxiety is quite natural, but sometimes people can suffer from it to such an extent that it is considered a type of anxiety disorder known as social anxiety disorder or ‘social phobia’. According to some research, about 7% of people in the United States may suffer from this disease.

The core feature of social anxiety disorder is specific and intense anxiety or fear of being exposed to possible scrutiny by others in ways that will lead to being negatively evaluated, humiliated, or rejected.

For diagnosis, this must be present in one or more social situations, such as meeting new people, speaking in public, going out, eating in public, or having to talk to strangers in everyday circumstances (such as going out to the grocery store ). The principle of social anxiety is the specific and intense fear of being watched or judged by others.

This can appear in a wide variety of situations, from meeting new people to public speaking to meeting up to having to talk to strangers in everyday circumstances (like going out to the grocery store).

These social situations are avoided or endured with significant distress. For the clinical diagnosis to be made, these symptoms must be persistent and cause distress or significant impairment in different areas of life functioning.

Similarities and differences

Although they are completely different conditions (and the word condition doesn’t really apply to introversion), introversion and social anxiety share some characteristics. Both can lead someone to spend more time alone, and both introverts and those with social anxiety may actively avoid social situations.

However, this avoidance comes from different causes. Although an introvert may need to recharge their social batteries alone and have less energy to engage in social activities than extroverts, those with social anxiety disorder are motivated by a deep fear of humiliation and judgment if they find themselves out in certain social situations.

Unlike introversion, which does not require any type of treatment, social anxiety disorder may require treatment. This often takes the form of psychotherapy, medication such as certain antidepressants, or both.

It is also important to note 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.

When a trait is actually a disorder

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, a disorder disrupts your daily life. If your fear and avoidance of social situations means that you can’t go out in public and prevent you from doing things that you would otherwise like to do or need to do, this is a sign that what you are experiencing is more serious than just a personality trait

Also, someone with social anxiety disorder usually feels that their anxiety is out of their control. This is different from introversion, which generally means you prefer solitude and may feel the need to withdraw from social situations to recharge, but you can engage socially when you want or need to.

People with severe social anxiety disorder often cannot do this. Their debilitating fear prevents them from socializing or going out in public instead choosing time alone over a social event when given the chance.

Could I have undiagnosed social anxiety?

If you’re experiencing any of the following, it may be time to talk to a doctor or therapist about your anxiety:

• You actively avoid social situations
• Your fear of judgment or humiliation prevents you from going out in public
• Your anxiety feels uncontrollable
• Your anxiety makes it difficult to function as you would like
• You have difficulty at work because of your anxiety
• Your anxiety is affecting your ability to maintain relationships
• Your anxiety makes it difficult to perform basic and necessary tasks (eg, going to the grocery store)

However, it is also important to note that it is completely normal to have some level of social anxiety. Many people feel anxious about certain social situations, such as public speaking or talking to strangers, it is when these feelings are overwhelming and prevent you from living the life you would like to live that it becomes diagnosable as social anxiety disorder.

Final thoughts

Although introversion and social anxiety disorder share some surface characteristics, such as avoiding social situations, they are two very different things. Although an introvert may prefer to spend time alone and may feel exhausted by excessive exposure to social settings, someone with social anxiety disorder has a very real phobia of being judged or humiliated in certain social situations.

It is also possible for a person to be both introverted and experience social anxiety disorder. Additionally, for those suffering from social anxiety disorder, it is important to remember that this condition can be effectively treated with psychotherapy, medication, or both.