What’s the Difference Between Shyness and Social Anxiety Disorder?

Social anxiety disorder, or SAD, is an intense fear of social interaction. It can interfere with life in many ways, making dating, school, and work much more difficult. People with SAD typically avoid social situations. When they can’t, they often rely on drugs or alcohol in order to relieve their anxiety and be more “themselves” around others. Unfortunately, using drugs and alcohol to cope with SAD never addresses the underlying problem and can lead to dependence and addiction. Many people have experienced shyness in some situation, especially as children. Shyness and social anxiety share an aversion to social interaction, but they are not quite the same thing. How do you know if you have social anxiety disorder or if you’re just shy? There are three things that distinguish between shyness and social anxiety disorder: intensity of fear, the level of avoidance, and the impact the condition has on your life. In all of these, SAD is much higher. While it’s normal to be a little nervous about attending a party where you don’t know most of the people, someone with SAD might worry about it for weeks, if they decide to go at all. They may skip important meetings or turn down a good job in favor of one that requires less social interaction. In short, SAD is shyness out of control. Often, people with SAD know their fears are irrational, but they can’t help it. It may take someone with SAD a long time to be diagnosed. They may assume that most people feel anxious in social situations–indeed, most people feel anxious in some social situation–but they may not realize how much greater their anxiety is. They may just assume they’re unusually shy or they might be unaware that SAD is a recognized condition. Finally, actually getting a diagnosis requires social interaction. You have to get an appointment and talk to a therapist, which, itself, may seem daunting for someone with SAD. They may put it off until they feel they have no choice or until their SAD is diagnosed as part of a comprehensive addiction treatment program. If you’re not sure whether you have SAD, rate yourself on the following statements on a scale from 0 to 4, 0 being “not at all” and 4 being “extremely true.” Fear of embarrassment causes me to avoid doing things or speaking to people. I avoid activities in which I am the center of attention. Being embarrassed or looking stupid are among my worst fears. If your score totals 6 or higher, you may have SAD and you should consult a mental health professional for a true diagnosis. The good news is that SAD is very treatable. SAD is typically treated with cognitive behavioral therapy, medication, or both and about 70 percent of patients respond well to treatment. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction or mental illness, we can help. Recovery Ways is a premier drug and alcohol addiction treatment facility located in Salt Lake City, Utah. We have the resources to effectively treat a dual diagnosis. Our mission is to provide the most cost-effective, accessible substance abuse treatment to as many people as possible. Request information online or call us today at 1-888-986-7848.