What's the difference between social anxiety and being shy?

Social anxiety prevents you from attending social gatherings at all, or having panic attacks at the thought of talking to others. Shyness is totally normal. Some people are naturally less talkative, more reflective, and very happy to be so.

Social anxiety is where u have a fear of social situations or avoid them completely signs may be: making plans then cancelling them, fear of being judged by others, a misconception of what others think of you, panic attacks whereas being shy is that u are fine once u get comfortable with people. Social anxiety is different you could still feel anxious around those you have known for years

Social Anxiety causes difficulty breathing, sweaty palms, dialated pupils, racing heart, and panic. Shyness is more of just being quiet, or not so great at making conversation. So basically, Social Anxiety is just more severe.

Social anxiety is feeling like everyone is watching you and constantly judging, but only feeling this paranoid in a social setting and almost feeling sick because of it or almost like being claustrophobic. While being shy is not really wanting to speak or just not having the courage to do so.

I think that being shy is when you're unable to talk to people because you don't really feel comfortable expressing yourself. Social anxiety, however, is when you're unable to communicate with others for fear of judgement.

Social anxiety feels debilitating, it impedes on your "normal" life functions and starts to dictate what you do. i.e. never going out with friends because you feel so much anxiety. Being shy is less intense and a feeling that typically passes once you get comfortable.

Social anxiety is the fight or flight reflex, and being shy is being reserved and passive. Anxiety is feeling unsafe and is a physiological reaction as well as bio-chemically.

To me social anxiety is when you are so afraid of being in the social situation you actually feel sick and nauseous and being shy means you just are nervous meeting new people.

Being shy is a natural part of being a human being. Social anxiety is having emotional breakdowns when faced with uncomfortable situations

Feeling shy is completely normal and almost everyone feels it in their life. It's like when you don't want to get up and present a project in class and your legs get wobbly. Social anxiety is feeling constantly anxious around people. Stammering, stuttering, feeling sweaty and dizzy are all symptoms that you may experience if you have it.

Being shy is much less severe. With social anxiety it's the actual feeling like your going to break down in the middle of a store because someone talks to you. Being shy is hiding behind somebody because your'e a little scared to speak. It's a huge difference.

Being shy is simply not wanting to or being scared of talking to people. Social anxiety is not wanting to or being scared of being judged or rejected by the people you are trying to connect with. It is a more intense feeling to have social anxiety. Some of the signs are that when faced with an uncomfortable social situation one will sweat, blush, or become flustered and possibly shaky.

Everyone is different, there is not a one answer fits all. Perhaps evaluating your feelings when they happen can give you a better idea. Or making a list of how you feel in certain situations. If you feel that being social or being around others interferes with certain activities in your life, perhaps speaking with a counselor or therapist can help you to sort that out.

Social anxiety and social shyness can stem from the same source. When faced with the intensity that relationship brings, we can feel unsafe. Fear can arise in the body and it appears as anxiety, excitement or even frozenness. However it manifests, the root is always the same: self consciousness and self reflection in relationship with another person.

Anxiety is when it physically and/or emotionally pains you to be around others or to be social. Being shy can be tough, and emotionally draining, but social anxiety is a very different type of shy.

This is an awesome question! I am wondering about this too unfortunately I honesty can't answer this to my full potential

Social anxiety is often more crippling then being shy. Being shy is difficult and can cause a lot of discomfort, but social anxiety is more prone to cause severe panic attacks and often times requires therapy

Social anxiety is like shy on steroids. Social anxiety makes you never want to leave home, talk to anyone, or have even the tiniest glimpse at a social interaction. Shyness is just feeling a tad bit awkward and quiet when you meet someone. Shyness is much easier to over come than acute social anxiety.

There is not a difference. But you are probably asking about a disorder. And a disorder it becomes: when distress you feel significantly interferes with your day to day life. So then there is a difference. It cannot be objectively measured though, as is the case with many mental disorders and illnesses, your diagnosis is a matter of questionnaire for the most part. Shyness is a personality trait, social anxiety is something everybody feels from time to time (giving a speech, having a date etc..) and social anxiety disorder is when your social anxiety goes over the top and lowers your quality of life, makes you avoid things.

Being shy is something most people get during school and a young age, anxiety is something not everyone gets but when they do they struggle to handle it, it has an impact on everything they do wether that's school, work or relationships