Differences Between Shyness and Social Anxiety Disorder

Shyness and social anxiety disorder share many characteristics. While the two terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they are different. Shyness involves feeling reserved or uncomfortable in social situations. Social anxiety, on the other hand, is more severe and causes people to experience fear and avoidance of social situations.

Common Symptoms of Shyness and Social Anxiety Disorder

Shyness and social anxiety share many symptoms, such as:

• Blushing in social situations
• Fear of feeling embarrassed in social situations
• Racing heartbeat
• Sweating
• Worrying about how others see them
• Negative self-evaluations
• Stomach upset
• Trouble making eye contact
• Feeling awkward during social experiences
• Self-consciousness
• Speaking softly and maintaining a rigid body posture

Social Anxiety vs. Shyness

To distinguish between shyness and social anxiety, it is important to first understand what each of these terms mean.

Unfortunately, social anxiety disorder (SAD) is often dismissed as just extreme shyness. The reason many people don’t seek help for SAD is that they don’t realize that they have a recognized psychiatric condition. 

Symptoms of social anxiety typically appear in childhood. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), 9.1% of teens between 13 and 18 and 7.1% of adults over 18 have social anxiety disorder. Unfortunately, research suggests that people with social anxiety disorder wait an average of 10 years before seeking treatment for their condition.

People with social anxiety disorder don’t just feel nervous before giving a speech. They may worry about the speech for weeks or months beforehand, lose sleep due to anxiety, and have intense symptoms of anxiety during the feared situation such as a racing heart, shortness of breath, sweating, or shaking.

The symptoms usually do not go away but get worse as the situation progresses. The person with SAD usually realizes that their fears are unfounded but is still unable to control them.

Screening for Social Anxiety Disorder

Your doctor or mental health care professional can conduct an in-depth interview to determine whether you meet the criteria for a diagnosis of SAD. However, as an initial step, he or she may have you complete a screening measure to determine the need for a more thorough follow-up evaluation.

One such screening test is the “Mini-SPIN” (Mini-Social Phobia Inventory) that consists of just three questions. The Mini-SPIN (and it’s sister version the full SPIN) were created by Dr. Jonathan Davidson of the Department of Psychiatry, Duke University Medical Center.

To complete the SPIN, your doctor will have you rate the following three items in terms of how true they are for you on a scale of 0 to 4, where 0 is "not at all" and 4 is "extremely present."

• Being embarrassed or looking stupid are among my worst fears.
• Fear of embarrassment causes me to avoid doing things or speaking to people.
• I avoid activities in which I am the center of attention.

Generally, total scores of 6 or higher are indicative of possible SAD, however, only a trained mental health professional can make a diagnosis based on a full interview. In addition to the SPIN and Mini-SPIN, several other instruments may be used to screen for social anxiety disorder, including:

• Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale
• Liebowitz Social Phobia Scale
• Social Avoidance and Distress Scale

Although screening instruments are very helpful in identifying potential problems with social anxiety, there is no substitute for a complete diagnostic interview conducted by a mental health professional. Your doctor can provide a full assessment or refer you to another professional more experienced in diagnosing the disorder.

Effects of Shyness vs. Social Anxiety

Childhood is when social skills develop in preparation for the challenges of adolescence and adulthood. Both shyness and social anxiety can affect social skills and functioning in similar ways, but the effects are more severe for those with social anxiety.

Impact of Shyness

While shyness is normal, it can impact a person's life and relationships. It can make it more difficult for kids to form friendships and socialize in school in childhood and adolescence. 

Poor social success can interfere with a child's self-esteem and confidence. Fortunately, since shyness is less severe than social anxiety disorder, people can often find ways to cope with their more reserved, reticent nature.

Impact of Social Anxiety Disorder

Children who have social anxiety disorder often do not develop appropriate social behaviors. As children grow with the disorder, they may become accustomed to having social fears and create a life based on avoidance.

Social anxiety disorder can have a devastating impact on your education, career success, financial independence, and personal relationships. Often it will lead to an isolated lifestyle and subsequent depression or substance abuse. 

Keep in Mind

If you believe that your shyness may actually be social anxiety disorder, it is important to make an appointment with your family doctor or mental health professional. Leaving symptoms untreated over a long period can worsen your anxiety and could lead to other problems such as depression or substance abuse.

On the other hand, effective treatments such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and medication are available and have been shown to help with social anxiety disorder.