Is this a trick question?
I personally don't think there is any difference, except in degree. I think my username of UltraShy is quite accurate for one with severe SA such as myself. I view SA as just shyness in the extreme, though it's impossible to draw any clear line where shyness ends and SA begins. One could simply say SA = a score of X or higher on the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale, but X would just be some arbitrary number and it would seem silly to say one who scores one point under X is OK, but an extra point means you have a mental disorder.I have anxiety as well. The reason I asked if anyone here is shy is because there's a difference between shyness and social anxiety.
I literally could not work in a store. Actually, my job history or lack thereof strongly suggests that I couldn't work anywhere period. I literally am not even qualified to work at McDonald's because there is no way I could possibly tolerate the social interaction required. That's a rather depressing thought. I'm 36 and a college grad, yet I couldn't handle a job that is frequently held by teens who have parents about my age.Some social anxiety sufferers can still talk to people, perform jobs that deal with the public, etc. If I worked in a store I literally could not walk up to a customer and ask if I could help them. If I ever need help I cannot ask anyone.
That's hardly shocking by SAS standards. You've surely read the numerous posts by those who dropped out of HS because they couldn't take the social stuff or avoided college due to SA. There is no end to the things people around here have done to avoid social situations and I'm not shocked by any of them since I think I've heard them all before and done many of them myself.I was once mistakenly marked absent at a class in college and could not say something as simple as "I'm here."
That sounds like something I'd do. I'd feel like an idiot calling 911 even for a valid reason, even though Jay Leno has played tapes of real 911 calls made by morons who will call to ask how to cook a turkey and other equally insane things. Though in my case it would be more than just SA stopping me. At this point I'm not at all certain that I'd want to be saved from a natural death. It would finally put an end to my hell. I've gone so far as to tell my mother that if she ever finds my collapsed on the floor she should not call 911, but instead wait to make absolutely certain that I'm dead before reporting my death as I have no desire to be saved when this would finally give me a way out.There was once a time when I was sick and felt like I needed medical care but I was too shy to call any doctor or go to the hospital. I'm so pathetic I'd probably let myself drop dead on my kitchen floor before I'd ever pick up the phone and call 911.
There is, but not a chance in hell that you're getting it. You can send a thank you note to the DEA for making certain of that. If you consumed enough amphetamines odds are you wouldn't be able to shut up. Others have told me they have this reaction and in my very limited experience amphetamines will make me talk in situations where I'd otherwise never say a thing.I suppose the thing to do would be to at least ask my shrink if there is any medication that actually reduces shyness...
I'm that shy so your not the only one. Also I think most of the people on here can relate to alot of the stuff you just wrote. I would defiently see a therapist and consider medication to help you. Because being painfully shy is SA.I am so abnormally shy it's disgusting. When "talking" to people I'm intimidated by it's like I can feel all of my insides shriveling up and I literally cannot force any words out of my mouth. Anything I actually do manage to say comes out so softly that people tend to get an expression on their face that makes me feel even more shy. I've had people say things to me and I would literally just stare or look around in complete silence. I must come across as either a snob or a mental case of epic proportions. I sometimes sense that people are disgusted with me but are too polite to say anything. After certain social situations I just want to curl up into a ball and die. I feel so ashamed of myself.
I would be absolutely amazed if there is anyone on Earth as shy as me. I don't know how many times I've been told "You are the shyest person I have ever met in my life."
same happened to meI have found myself screwed on a number of occassions simply because I could not speak up. I was once mistakenly marked absent at a class in college and could not say something as simple as "I'm here." I remember the girl sitting next to me gave me a strange look because I didn't say anything. Not even after class when everyone was leaving could I go let the professor know what happened.
When I was 16 I became ill due to food poisoning.There was once a time when I was sick and felt like I needed medical care but I was too shy to call any doctor or go to the hospital. I'm so pathetic I'd probably let myself drop dead on my kitchen floor before I'd ever pick up the phone and call 911.
trust me you are not alone. im so shy that after every conversation i have im covinced i have some sort of disability like autism.I am so abnormally shy it's disgusting. When "talking" to people I'm intimidated by it's like I can feel all of my insides shriveling up and I literally cannot force any words out of my mouth. Anything I actually do manage to say comes out so softly that people tend to get an expression on their face that makes me feel even more shy. I've had people say things to me and I would literally just stare or look around in complete silence. I must come across as either a snob or a mental case of epic proportions. I sometimes sense that people are disgusted with me but are too polite to say anything. After certain social situations I just want to curl up into a ball and die. I feel so ashamed of myself.
I would be absolutely amazed if there is anyone on Earth as shy as me. I don't know how many times I've been told "You are the shyest person I have ever met in my life."
I can relate to what you're saying- I was like this a long time ago through middle and high school. It's been a while but I do remember how agonizing it can be to not be able to speak your mind or just take part in conversation. How does your anxiety affect your shyness? Do you have a harder time dealing with the shyness than the anxiety? I think we are both going through the same thing for different reasons- wanting to talk but just can't. Have you have tried Ritalin? That can make you talkative. It has some crappy side effects tho. Do you feel like you can't work because of your shyness? I feel like I won't be able to continue working because of my SA. It's really starting to take a toll on me and it's becoming harder and harder every day to get by at my job.I have anxiety as well. The reason I asked if anyone here is shy is because there's a difference between shyness and social anxiety. Some social anxiety sufferers can still talk to people, perform jobs that deal with the public, etc. If I worked in a store I literally could not walk up to a customer and ask if I could help them. If I ever need help I cannot ask anyone.
I have found myself screwed on a number of occassions simply because I could not speak up. I was once mistakenly marked absent at a class in college and could not say something as simple as "I'm here." I remember the girl sitting next to me gave me a strange look because I didn't say anything. Not even after class when everyone was leaving could I go let the professor know what happened. There have been times when papers would be passed out and I wouldn't get one and could not say so. Someone would say that I need one and then I'd get a strange look for not saying so myself.
I would come to tears if a teacher ever asked to speak to me after class.
Last year I was at a dinner theater and a server walked by with a plate and asked if anyone at the table was having it. I said me but she didn't hear me and walked away. When she walked by again a complete stranger at the table actually spoke for me, and the people I went there with were like 'What the hell? You need to speak up.'
There was once a time when I was sick and felt like I needed medical care but I was too shy to call any doctor or go to the hospital. I'm so pathetic I'd probably let myself drop dead on my kitchen floor before I'd ever pick up the phone and call 911.
I could be doped up on benzos and feel calm in the sense that I'm not having a massive panic attack, but I would still be incapable of talking. I suppose the thing to do would be to at least ask my shrink if there is any medication that actually reduces shyness... but I'm too shy to ask. Sometimes I have to laugh inside at suggestions he makes to me regarding other things because I'm thinking, 'Have you noticed that I DON'T TALK?!'
Sorry for such a long post.
Have you ever heard of selective mutism? Since you seem so concerned about the differences between anxiety and being unable to approach people, I would definitely do some research on selective mutism. I KNOW I had selective mutism for a while.I don't know, I read that shy people don't necessarily have social anxiety, and in contrast people who have social anxiety aren't necessarily shy. I won't state it as fact.
I have selective mutismHave you ever heard of selective mutism?