[AquarianSun]

I was thinking about this recently how, I know I'm shy. I know I have social anxiety, but does that automatically make me an introvert, same with others?

I REALLY want to get out more but I'm scared. I just get anxious. I do like being alone but sometimes, I wish I could get out there more but fear holds me back :/

It's weird because with anxiety, I'm comfortable where I am, but I am not always happy. I get anxious at the idea of wanting to do more social things :/

There is this yoga event at the humane society I volunteer at, and you do yoga with cats, I REALLY want to do it but fear keeps me a back I did force myself to do drawing class at Michaels (arts and craft) and it was fine.

Heh, I need to re-read the books I have on facing fears. Just to do it anyway.

But I digress, that make me automatically a introvert or can you be socially anxious but be extrovert?

I am an extrovert and even I have social anxiety. I think my being outgoing is actually a defence mechanism for my fears. If I appear to be confident, no one will try to hurt me and that sort of thing.

It's gotten easier with CBT. I am better able to challenge all the automatic negative thoughts about what people will think of me and my self worth. Specifically, I worked on my Catastrophic Thinking and my Discounting the Positive - two problem thinking styles I'm prone to do. And, as my psychiatrist would say, is that _________ thinking advantageous to you in any way? How then is it a disadvantage.

[Sunflower123]

I think you can have social anxiety as either extrovert or introvert. As I've read it it is a continuum that you fall somewhere on. Introverts draw energy by having alone time and extroverts get their energy by being around people. I understand how you feel....I'm shy and an introvert and have social anxiety. Makes socializing and connecting much harder.

[Trippin2.0]

I'm an introvert, and I have zero social anxiety...

I suggest you take the Myers & Briggs personality test, it will let you know if you're introverted or extroverted, and to what degree.

It's an over simplification, but generally introverts are drained by the energy of others, while extroverts feed off it, anxiety is completely separate and doesn't indicate that you're one or the other.

I think there is a marked difference between shyness and introversion. An introverted individual chooses to be alone where as a shy person feels they have no choice but to be so.

Realise too that even an extrovert, at the end of the day, may be alone too. Extroversion does not ensure a wide circle of friends. I myself, while extroverted still 'shy away' from allowing myself to make that connection that goes beyond acquaintanceship. I know a great many people but very few of them I would call a friend. More often than not I feel incredibly alone.

[BrookeM.]

I have anxiety and panic disorder, but I consider myself generally extroverted. I think it doesn't depend so much on if you can be completely comfortable and open around others as much as it has to do with if you ENJOY being around others and meeting new people. Some people without anxiety of any sorts may just not like being social. And I'm sure many with anxiety disorders enjoy meeting new people and the idea of being social, but sometimes their emotions and nerves get the best of them. Hope I helped!