Social PHOBIA vs Introversion The Differences

Social phobia or social anxiety is a type of anxiety disorder that can significantly impact your quality of life. While social phobia is often misunderstood as shyness or introversion, it is a distinct and often debilitating condition that can make even the most routine social interactions feel overwhelming. In this video, we'll explore the signs of social phobia and why it's important to understand the difference between social anxiety and introversion. By recognizing the symptoms of social phobia and seeking help, you can learn to manage your anxiety and take control of your social life. Let us know if you relate to these signs in the comments.

DISCLAIMER: This video is for educational purposes only. Although it is based on scientific research, we are not diagnosing or attacking any individual(s). If you believe you may have social anxiety, please contact a trusted mental health professional.

Researcher/Writer: Brian Cham
Editor: Brie Villanueva
Script Manager: Kelly Soong
Animation: Lesly Drue
Project Manager: Cindy Cheong

REFERENCES:

[guslmnm]

I’m introverted and have social anxiety (yaaay…😅). There’s times I can tell when my anxiety is worse because my thoughts will go from introverted thoughts to social anxiety thoughts used in the vid. Life isn’t easy but I hope anyone else going through this knows they’re not alone! I’m right there with you!

[dreamersuckinginlife]

Honestly social anxiety sounds so ridiculous and many people who don’t experience don’t even know it exists, but it is so real. Whenever I am around other people I lose the capability to act like a normal human being completely. My body goes so stiff, that I have to force any movement and it feels so uncomfortable and unnatural that all I want is just to RUN away. My mouth feels like glued together and I can’t talk to people, when I do manage to, I actually speak in a different voice than my real one. The problem is, I experience social anxiety at any social encounter, be it during work or on a private basis. No matter what I do, I can’t stop it from kicking in. It really makes me unable to form any relationships, nor have a normal life. It infers with my whole life and it’s so exhausting to be with people, it drains all my energy. I’m so exhausted that I can’t do anything. Social anxiety is taking everything from me and there is no way, I can ever lead a normal, life that’d be worth being lived. It really makes me hate myself and I’m actually jealous of anyone who can just normally interact with people. I’m still trying to get better though

[creativeflame_]

I def have social anxiety. I remember throwing up, shaking, sweating, etc a lot growing up whether it be a presentation or phone call or anything where it felt like the attention was all on me. It’s gotten a bit better as an adult but I don’t think it’ll ever fully go away. I think it was caused by my culturally upbringing and school bullying together. But anyway ty for this video and your guys’ comments, glad to know I’m not alone 💙

[chickennuggetpaw]

One of the things about social anxiety that *really* sneaks up on me, without fail, every time I talk to someone is that anxiety I get AFTER I’ve already finished a conversation. It’s annoying because I already had to deal with a full on conversation with a person, but even after they’ve stopped talking to me, the tension doesn’t leave. My mind immediately starts to wander, thinking how weird I must seem and how the person I just talked to was probably wondering why I’m such a weirdo while we were talking. It’s completely irrational, and I know it, but my brain does it anyways. Sometimes I get shaky and tense because of the anxiety following a conversation. Sometimes it’s just a bad feeling in the bit of my stomach. Either way, it sucks. Social anxiety really sucks, because I feel like everyone that talks to me on a daily basis must wonder why I’m so quiet and tense and jittery, but I can’t explain it or it would be over-sharing, which would just make me feel even worse. I want to be extroverted and fun so badly, but it just feels impossible. I want people to see me as easygoing and laid back and nice to talk to, but instead I’m just awkward and sometimes even overly hostile to get people that overwhelm me to leave me alone. Why is my actual personality so far away from how I want to act? I hate social anxiety but I have no idea what to do about it. I’m just praying therapy helps even a little, because all social anxiety does is force me to cancel plans, lose interest in social things I wish I could do, and make me feel awkward all the time. If anyone is relating to me right now, I’m sorry you have to deal with it too. Hopefully we can heal eventually.

[taarinibhardwaj]

I actually had severe social phobia/ social anxiety disorder and I used to hate going to school, always felt embarrassed, had no friends and of course had low self- esteem !! Whenever a person used to approach me and tried to talk to me I would simply look away, couldn’t even look into people’s eyes!! Everyone used to think that I had an “ATTITUDE “ and that I don’t talk to people because of my attitude but deep down I also felt that it’s not about an attitude or being rude !! Something is actually WRONG WITH ME !! So I went to a psychiatrist and luckily my social anxiety is controlled now !! ✨💜 Don’t feel that you can never be treated, social anxiety/ social phobia can be treated if you want it to get treated and nothing is impossible in life, it’s just if you want to do it you will and you can !! And to those who are suffering from this I AM PROUD OF YOU FROM WHATEVER YOU ARE GOING THROUGH !! ♥️♥️

[JesusSanchez-ifel]

Social anxiety has been one of the most challenging things I have faced in life and I’ve learned that I had stop caring about how others view me and worrying about what could go wrong the best advice I can give is to not be afraid to go to social places, parties, gatherings and events because the more you go the easier it gets❤

[camilla]

I used to have very bad social anxiety four years ago, I only went out to go to school and it was miserable, but I was too scared to have any interaction. Right now I can't even believe I lived like that, and on September I have my first show with my theatre company. Things can completely change and we're never able to see it until they happen <3 good luck to everyone who's still halfway through the journey^^

[avalou]

💙 I’m definitely dealing with social anxiety on a daily basis and this just explained some of my mindset

[Aan]

Timestamps
1). It's ego dystonic 0:47
2). All eyes are on you 2:09
3). Thinking at light speed 3:23
4). Think, think, and think some more 4:31
5). Sugar, we're going down 5:29

Hope this helps you out. Hope you have a nice day. 💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙

[ViVaLaRan]

It's so annoying when you have social phobia and people assume "oh yeah i had that you will get over it" or "Just get out more!"
People always mistake Social Phobia for introversion or being shy
SAD/Social phobia is a legit mental disorder

[nunosilva]

I have social anxiety but believe me, it can get better!
A few years ago I was at a point where even hanging out with my closest friends and relatives would make me panic. I would shake, sweat and wouldn't be able to speak...
But then I started therapy and it's become so much better. I still feel a bit anxious some times and maybe I will always be this way to a certain degree, but I don't think it has a big impact in my life anymore.
If you are going through a rough time, you're not alone and it can definitely get better! You got this 😊

[Hagunemnon]

Also important to keep in mind: the two aren't mutually exclusive. Your introversion/extroversion can change throughout your life, too. According to my mom, I used to be a pretty gregarious kid; a combination of growing up and a nearly comical amount of abuse from my schoolmates saw me grow into a more introverted person. It also seriously screwed me over, mentally, but that's another aggravating little butt-muncher, entirely.

[Psychgo]

What is your personal experience with social phobia like?

[Pyro-etvs]

When I was in school, I was bullied. It wasn’t anything serious, just name calling, but I asked them to stop. They didn’t stop. So I ignored them until they stopped, but it left a lasting impression on me, and now I’m afraid to even open a door when someone rings the bell, lest they be a bad person.

[roshanrahealer]

💙 I have both introversion and social phobia. I'm in my element in caves, but tend to feel guilty if I don't socialize at least once a month. Keeping contact with people I care about has been a struggle, but life's more worthwhile when we focus on what we need so we can help others more effectively.

[THANATOS-PRIME]

I used to have social anxiety; a decent at best childhood didn’t help much with the matter. I still do to some extent but therapy has definitely helped.

[linnflame]

Yes! Lived with social phobia and blushing phobia for so many years, wasn't until I understood the root cause (shame) that I started to heal and can now say I no longer suffer from it. From no help from professionals as they worsened my symptoms. I feel for everyone who has to suffer with thi, especially when you don't feel safe around anyone and the anxiety is triggered around literally anyone.

[BlessedtobeMimi]

In my youth and into my early 30’s I think I had social anxiety but the older I got the more I just realized I love spending time by myself. I think it evolved into being confident in being by myself, eating out by myself, shopping by myself and going places by myself. Had a horrible childhood but have been working through all that as an adult and am finally forgiving, not forgetting but forgiving and moving forward.

[Maroku]

I feel like especially as man, I naturally don‘t want to accept my social anxiety and try to belittle it too much. Also I feel like the few people I told about it didn‘t really believe that I got social anxiety, probably because it is not a typical man issue. The few times I trust people and (slightly) open up about my problems they are really confused about my thoughts. Although I am happy to share it I feel even more alone in my thoughts.
My coping mechanism is to avoid situations to not get specific panic symptoms like my chest hurting, jittering, excessive sweating, needing to pee, because who would not want to avoid that.
Kind of hard to find a middle ground between not having hurtful experiences but also not completely missing out on live.
I realized what a huge impact it has on my social life and my non existing romantic life. (dating would give me a heart attack). Also I am really good at belittling my own needs and hardly can articulate them. I feel shame even thinking about telling them. (Which is probably one root of the problem)
I don‘t want it to define me, and have an excuse for everything, but it is also unfair to compare me with someone who doesn‘t have these issues. It is wishful thinking to just hide your insecurities well enough and they will dissolve one magical day. It is in my system, although I have a hard time to accept this weakness. I‘ve heard these issues will dissolve over time (10-20 years)
I hope and believe there will be happier times in my life, when all these problems will dissolve around the people I feel save and loved around and I am ok the way I am.
I did enough therapy to realize that real life is the best one, when you‘ve learned how to moderate your thoughts with rationality and love.
Cheers
If you read this, I love you, and you should too!

[mistysolar]

💙
I still have some social anxiety, but it was much worse when I was a teen. I am also an introvert, but not to the degree that it may appear to others.