Social anxiety for me is...
Being afraid of and distrusting people.
Being afraid of crowds and being paranoid in public places that people are judging me.
Flinching when people laugh in public because I think they might be laughing at me.
Hating my own name because it means someone is paying attention to me.
Fearing standing out in a crowd.
Not being able to do things I want to do because it may involve interacting with people.
Not being able to do my job properly because I have to interact with people.
Leaving jobs because dealing with customers and coworkers is like dancing with a grizzly bear; my adrenaline surges.
Not being able to get the career of my dreams because I'd have to be social.
Not having any friends because I can't talk to people and because I assume the worst when they talk to me.
Sweating profusely when I write things online (like right now).
Sweating profusely in any social situation and having to take drastic measures to conceal the stains.
Not being able to stand up for myself and saying anything to get out of any situation that might have conflict, even if it has a huge negative consequence to myself.
Being obsessive about avoiding real or perceived rejection.
Rejecting people before they reject me.
Having no self esteem and feeling humiliated because I can't do things that "normal" people do.
Having to drop courses at university that involve group work or presentations, or accepting a fail/low mark to avoid it.
Not being able to use a telephone except to talk with very trusted people.
Having to find human enablers who can do things for me like make appointments so I can see a doctor once and a while.
Having to live with vivid memories of being publicly humiliated, bullied, and of social blunders from an early age until now.
Reliving some of those memories daily.

I could go on... does that answer some of your questions at least?