People with social anxiety are many times seen by others as being shy, quiet, backward, withdrawn, inhibited, unfriendly, nervous, aloof, and disinterested.

Paradoxically, people with social anxiety want to make friends, be included in groups, and be involved and engaged in social interactions.

But having social anxiety prevents people from being able to do the things they want to do. Although people with social anxiety want to be friendly, open, and sociable, it is fear (anxiety) that holds them back.

Shyness and social anxiety disorder are two different things.

Shyness: anxiety, inhibition, reticence, or a combination of these in social and interpersonal situations, and nervousness or anxiety about evaluation by others. Shyness is considered a normal facet of personality

Social Anxiety Disorder is classified as a significant amount of fear, embarrassment or humiliation in social performances based situations, to a point at which the affected person often avoids these situations entirely, or endures them with a high level of distress.

Many people who are shy do not have the negative emotions and feelings that accompany social anxiety disorder. They live a normal life and do not view shyness as a negative trait.

While many people with the social anxiety disorder are shy but shyness is not a prerequisite for social anxiety disorder

Shyness:-

• Makes it harder to talk to people

you don't know, but not impossible.

• Can make it harder to speak up in a

group unless you know people.

• May cause people to boss you

around or take over.

Social anxiety - aka social phobia - is different:-

• Anxiety is severe, and may even

cause panic attacks.

• Thinking about a social function

causes anxiety, even before you're there.

• Interacting with anyone causes

extreme fear and doubt.

• Any perceived mistake may lead to

shame, depression, and further

negative emotions.

• Causes you to feel very negative,

and may make your life much more

difficult.