{"id":572,"date":"2021-09-10T21:12:26","date_gmt":"2021-09-10T21:12:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/?p=572"},"modified":"2021-10-16T20:26:41","modified_gmt":"2021-10-16T20:26:41","slug":"introversion-vs-social-anxiety","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/personality\/introversion-vs-social-anxiety\/","title":{"rendered":"Introversion vs Social Anxiety: 7 Things That Show the Difference"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Introversion is mistaken for many things: <a href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/personality\/introvert-vs-shy-difference\/\">shyness<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/personality\/antisocial-vs-introverted-difference\/\">antisocial attitude<\/a>, and arrogance. But even more often, it is confused with social anxiety. Let\u2019s compare introversion vs social anxiety and point out the differences.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s worth mentioning that the two are not mutually exclusive, and you can very well be a socially anxious introvert. However, in this case, the overwhelming feelings caused by anxiety will prevail over the experiences associated with introversion.<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s start with the definitions of the two.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_64 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #222222;color:#222222\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #222222;color:#222222\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/personality\/introversion-vs-social-anxiety\/#Introversion_definition\" title=\"Introversion definition\">Introversion definition<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/personality\/introversion-vs-social-anxiety\/#Social_anxiety_definition\" title=\"Social anxiety definition\">Social anxiety definition<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/personality\/introversion-vs-social-anxiety\/#Introversion_vs_Social_Anxiety_7_Key_Differences\" title=\"Introversion vs Social Anxiety: 7 Key Differences\">Introversion vs Social Anxiety: 7 Key Differences<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/personality\/introversion-vs-social-anxiety\/#1_An_introvert_finds_social_interaction_exhausting_a_socially_anxious_person_finds_it_scary\" title=\"1. An introvert finds social interaction exhausting; a socially anxious person finds it scary\">1. An introvert finds social interaction exhausting; a socially anxious person finds it scary<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/personality\/introversion-vs-social-anxiety\/#2_Introversion_is_an_innate_quality_social_anxiety_is_acquired\" title=\"2. Introversion is an innate quality; social anxiety is acquired\">2. Introversion is an innate quality; social anxiety is acquired<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/personality\/introversion-vs-social-anxiety\/#3_A_socially_anxious_person_worries_excessively_about_their_social_performance_an_introvert_does_not\" title=\"3. A socially anxious person worries excessively about their social performance; an introvert does not\">3. A socially anxious person worries excessively about their social performance; an introvert does not<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/personality\/introversion-vs-social-anxiety\/#4_Social_anxiety_is_associated_with_harsh_self-criticism_introversion_is_not\" title=\"4. Social anxiety is associated with harsh self-criticism; introversion is not\">4. Social anxiety is associated with harsh self-criticism; introversion is not<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/personality\/introversion-vs-social-anxiety\/#5_An_introvert_can_enjoy_social_interaction_while_a_socially_anxious_person_finds_it_extremely_unsettling\" title=\"5. An introvert can enjoy social interaction while a socially anxious person finds it extremely unsettling\">5. An introvert can enjoy social interaction while a socially anxious person finds it extremely unsettling<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/personality\/introversion-vs-social-anxiety\/#6_Social_anxiety_makes_a_person_socially_inept_introversion_does_not\" title=\"6. Social anxiety makes a person socially inept; introversion does not\">6. Social anxiety makes a person socially inept; introversion does not<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/personality\/introversion-vs-social-anxiety\/#7_A_socially_anxious_person_may_want_to_socialize_more_but_they_cant_an_introvert_is_happy_with_a_small_circle\" title=\"7. A socially anxious person may want to socialize more, but they can&#8217;t; an introvert is happy with a small circle\">7. A socially anxious person may want to socialize more, but they can&#8217;t; an introvert is happy with a small circle<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Introversion_definition\"><\/span>Introversion definition<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Introversion is a trait that describes a person\u2019s inclination towards <a href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/mind\/solitude-vs-loneliness-difference\/\">alone time and solitary activities<\/a>. It is not a mental health issue but a characteristic of one\u2019s personality.<\/p>\n<p>Introverts recharge their emotional and mental batteries while spending time on their own. And they give their energy away during social interaction, that\u2019s why they may find too much of it draining.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Social_anxiety_definition\"><\/span>Social anxiety definition<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Social anxiety is a mental disorder associated with the irrational fear of social interaction. Typically, it leaves the sufferer being painfully afraid of being rejected or ridiculed by other people.<\/p>\n<p>Crippled by these fears, a socially anxious person experiences a number of uncomfortable symptoms in social situations. Some examples <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nimh.nih.gov\/health\/publications\/social-anxiety-disorder-more-than-just-shyness\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">include<\/a>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Excessive, irrational worrying<\/li>\n<li>Increased heartbeat<\/li>\n<li>Difficulty breathing<\/li>\n<li>Upset stomach<\/li>\n<li>Sweaty palms<\/li>\n<li>Trembling<\/li>\n<li>Blushing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The severity of the symptoms may vary. Some socially anxious people may have panic attacks in the most trivial social situations, others just find certain types of social interaction uncomfortable.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Introversion_vs_Social_Anxiety_7_Key_Differences\"><\/span>Introversion vs Social Anxiety: 7 Key Differences<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>So what\u2019s the difference between an introvert and someone who suffers from social anxiety? Below are a few things that demonstrate that these two are not the same:<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_An_introvert_finds_social_interaction_exhausting_a_socially_anxious_person_finds_it_scary\"><\/span>1. An introvert finds social interaction exhausting; a socially anxious person finds it scary<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The attitude towards social situations is the most essential difference between introversion vs social anxiety. While both of these types tend to avoid social interaction to some extent, they do it for different reasons.<\/p>\n<p>An introvert finds certain situations draining enough to avoid them. For example, attending crowded social events, having group discussions, or talking to nosy people who ask intrusive personal questions.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/personality\/signs-of-an-introvert\/\">Introverts<\/a> are not afraid of these situations \u2013 they just have <strong>limited energy<\/strong> available for handling them.<\/p>\n<p>A person with social anxiety, on the other hand, finds social interaction <strong>scary and uncomfortable<\/strong>. Talking to other people causes overwhelming anxiety symptoms in them, so they will avoid it at any cost.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Introversion_is_an_innate_quality_social_anxiety_is_acquired\"><\/span>2. Introversion is an innate quality; social anxiety is acquired<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Another one of the most basic differences between introversion vs social anxiety is <strong>the way a person develops them<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Introversion is a personality trait you are born with. <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/16289773\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Studies show<\/a> that it is mainly based on the processes happening in your brain, such as what kind of neurotransmitter your brain relies on. This means that you are <em>wired<\/em> to be an introvert.<\/p>\n<p>On the other hand, social anxiety is an acquired mental disorder. You are not born with it, you <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3074005\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">develop it as a result<\/a> of negative experiences such as emotional trauma or abuse in childhood.<\/p>\n<p>All this means that <a href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/personality\/how-to-stop-being-an-introvert\/\">you can\u2019t stop being an introvert<\/a>, but you can overcome social anxiety.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_A_socially_anxious_person_worries_excessively_about_their_social_performance_an_introvert_does_not\"><\/span>3. A socially anxious person worries excessively about their social performance; an introvert does not<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Typically, introverts are overthinkers just like socially anxious people, but they don\u2019t worry as much about their social performance.<\/p>\n<p>Someone who has social anxiety will feel uneasy and nervous before the social event even starts. They will think about all the terrifying scenarios of saying the wrong things and embarrassing themselves in front of others.<\/p>\n<p>An introvert won\u2019t worry about all this. They may think whether it\u2019s a good idea to go to a social gathering. \u201c<em>Will I get bored too quickly and regret not staying at home? Will there be people I don\u2019t like? Will they ask me personal questions?\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n<p>But an introvert\u2019s mind won\u2019t be full of scary pictures of social embarrassment.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Social_anxiety_is_associated_with_harsh_self-criticism_introversion_is_not\"><\/span>4. Social anxiety is associated with harsh self-criticism; introversion is not<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>It&#8217;s true that many introverts <a href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/mind\/not-feeling-good-enough\/\">have low self-esteem<\/a> and are self-critical. It has to do with the fact that this personality type is highly introspective and self-aware.<\/p>\n<p>However, a mentally healthy introvert won\u2019t indulge in <em>harsh<\/em> self-criticism. This is what a socially anxious person will do, especially after attending a social event.<\/p>\n<p>Since their judgment is clouded by anxiety and irrational fears, they will perceive their most trivial mistakes as terrible failures. They will feel that they said something wrong and looked silly and weird in the eyes of others.<\/p>\n<p>A person with social anxiety may even misinterpret other people\u2019s behavior as hostile and unfriendly. So, they will be haunted by the <a href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/communication\/feeling-left-out-friends-family\/\">feeling of being rejected, left out<\/a>, or laughed at, even if it has little to to do with reality.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_An_introvert_can_enjoy_social_interaction_while_a_socially_anxious_person_finds_it_extremely_unsettling\"><\/span>5. An introvert can enjoy social interaction while a socially anxious person finds it extremely unsettling<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A &#8216;regular&#8217; introvert won\u2019t feel overwhelmingly anxious or uncomfortable in social settings. Yes, certain situations such as big family reunions or public speaking may make them feel a little uneasy.<\/p>\n<p>But these experiences won\u2019t overpower them. They won\u2019t cause all those symptoms social anxiety sufferers endure. <strong>Introverts can enjoy social gatherings<\/strong> and have fun at parties, but they simply get tired quickly.<\/p>\n<p>Someone who has social anxiety will have a number of physical symptoms in social settings, such as increased heartbeat, difficulty breathing, and trembling. They will also constantly worry about possible embarrassment and fear that they will say or do something wrong.<\/p>\n<p>The most trivial situation such as talking to a cashier in the store can seem challenging and unsettle a socially anxious person greatly. For this reason, they can\u2019t enjoy themselves at gatherings and in social situations in general.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6_Social_anxiety_makes_a_person_socially_inept_introversion_does_not\"><\/span>6. Social anxiety makes a person socially inept; introversion does not<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>It makes sense that someone who has such a hard time talking to other people because of their anxiety is also <a href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/communication\/socially-inept-definition-signs\/\">socially inept<\/a>. An anxious person\u2019s social skills suffer because they don\u2019t get the chance to improve them due to their unsettling symptoms.<\/p>\n<p>Social anxiety often leaves the person being<strong> unable to handle the simplest tasks<\/strong> if they involve interacting with other people, particularly strangers. So, they may struggle to even go to a hairdresser or grocery store.<\/p>\n<p>As for introversion, it\u2019s <strong>not a synonym of social ineptness<\/strong>. An introvert can and wants to interact with other people, but they simply prefer to do it on their terms. The quiet ones feel more comfortable in smaller groups of people and more intimate social settings.<\/p>\n<p>But <a href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/communication\/how-introverts-make-friends\/\">introverts have no issues with meeting new people<\/a>, establishing contact with others, and participating in team projects. Yes, they may not be the fans of big parties and teamwork, but they <em>can<\/em> handle these tasks.<\/p>\n<p>This is one of the key differences between introversion vs social anxiety.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"7_A_socially_anxious_person_may_want_to_socialize_more_but_they_cant_an_introvert_is_happy_with_a_small_circle\"><\/span>7. A socially anxious person may want to socialize more, but they <em>can&#8217;t<\/em>; an introvert is happy with a small circle<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Finally, the most important point in comparing social anxiety vs introversion is that the one is a mental disorder while the other one is a distinct personality trait. This means that you can <strong>suffer from social anxiety while being an extrovert<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>In this case, you&#8217;d love to make new friends and socialize more, but your anxiety disorder won\u2019t let you. Because your fear of being rejected and embarrassed in front of others is so strong, you can\u2019t easily approach people and make new acquaintances.<\/p>\n<p>For a socially anxious person, meeting new people becomes a daunting challenge that feels almost impossible to overcome. They may, in fact, be a naturally sociable person and want to make friends, but they can\u2019t do that due to their anxiety symptoms and irrational fears.<\/p>\n<p>On the contrary, <strong>an introvert is happy with little social interaction<\/strong> and perfectly fine with <a href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/communication\/why-do-i-have-no-friends\/\">having few friends<\/a>. A quiet person\u2019s small circle is their choice. They are not afraid of meeting new people and socializing with others, but they prefer social interaction in small doses.<\/p>\n<p>All the above differences between introversion vs social anxiety boil down to one simple fact \u2013 <strong>an introvert is in charge of their life while a socially anxious person is not<\/strong>. This is what the definition of a mental disorder is \u2013 it makes your life worse and impairs your day-to-day functioning.<\/p>\n<p>A socially anxious person may want to expand their circle and socialize with others more, but they can\u2019t do that because of their disorder.<\/p>\n<p>An introvert, in turn, shapes their social life around their personality, making a conscious choice to hang out with few people in small groups.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Introversion is mistaken for many things: shyness, antisocial attitude, and arrogance. But even more often, it is confused with social anxiety. Let\u2019s compare introversion vs social anxiety and point out the differences. It\u2019s worth mentioning that the two are not mutually exclusive, and you can very well be a socially anxious introvert. However, in this &#8230; <a title=\"Introversion vs Social Anxiety: 7 Things That Show the Difference\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/personality\/introversion-vs-social-anxiety\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Introversion vs Social Anxiety: 7 Things That Show the Difference\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":573,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[15,22],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/572"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=572"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/572\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":657,"href":"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/572\/revisions\/657"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/573"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=572"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=572"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=572"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}