Extrovert with social anxiety: How to cope Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe How to cope as an extrovert with social anxietyMedically reviewed by N. Simay Gökbayrak, PhD — By Lauren Hellicar on June 29, 2022Some people view extroverted individuals as confident and able to thrive in social situations. However, extroverted people can still experience social anxiety. Share on PinterestAndrey Pavlov/StocksyAccording to popularly held beliefs, introverted people tend to be shy and reserved, and people are probably more likely to think of introverts regarding social anxiety. However, research shows that there is such a trait as an “anxious extrovert.” It is also worth noting that it is a myth that introverted people tend to be shy. While some may be shy, introverted people tend to be overstimulated by others and therefore need alone time to reset their internal resources. Read on for the link between extroversion and social anxiety and how extroverted people with social anxiety can manage their mental health. What is an extrovert Psychologist Carl Jung first coined the terms introvert and extrovert in the early 1900s. The general idea is that introverted people are most comfortable in the inner world of ideas and images, whereas extroverted people are most comfortable in the outer world of people and things. Recently, the meanings of these words have shifted somewhat, and people think of extroverted people as outgoing and introverted people as shy. This is not the case in terms of what these actually mean. Extroverted people can be shy, and introverted people can be very outgoing. It is more about where a person’s energy comes from. However, being an extroverted person or an introverted person is not binary. These personality styles exist on a spectrum. What is social anxiety Around 15 million adults in the United States have social anxiety disorder, making it the most common anxiety disorder diagnosed after specific phobia. People with social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, usually begin to develop the condition during their teenage years. They can find social situations extremely difficult to deal with. While most people find some social situations challenging some of the time, social anxiety disorder can cause anxiety and dread on a scale that stops a person from getting on with their life. The National Institute of Mental Health defines social anxiety disorder as: “persistent fear of one or more social or performance situations in which the person is exposed to unfamiliar people or to possible scrutiny by others. The individual fears that he or she will act in a way (or show anxiety symptoms) that will be embarrassing and humiliating.” The condition can impact school, work, and social situations. People with social anxiety disorder experience intense and relentless fear of being scrutinized by others. Someone might have social anxiety disorder if they experience the following psychological symptoms for at least 6 months:fear of being judged by othersself-consciousness in everyday social situationsavoidance of meeting new people due to fear or anxiety It can also result in physical symptoms, including increased heart rate and sweating. These symptoms can make it challenging to cope with everyday life. People with social anxiety disorder may withdraw from social situations, turning the issue into a vicious cycle. Learn more about social anxiety disorder here. Can an extrovert have social anxiety As noted above, introversion and extroversion are one trait of personality. While people may be more likely to associate introverted people than extroverted people with social anxiety, results from a 2020 study suggest that “anxious extroverts” exist. During the study, 265 people diagnosed with social anxiety disorder and 164 people without the condition completed personality and anxiety assessments. The study’s authors used five key elements of personality, known as the “big five traits of personality”: neuroticismextraversionopennessconscientiousnessagreeableness Overall, they found that people with social anxiety disorder were more likely to score higher for neuroticism and significantly lower for extroversion, openness, and conscientiousness. However, they also highlighted that people can be anxious without being shy. In fact, the largest subgroup of participants was socially anxious but scored near normal for extroversion and high for openness. Treatment and management Social anxiety can be challenging, regardless of a person’s tendency toward extroversion or introversion. However, they can take action to help themselves to cope with this anxiety disorder. Here are several strategies they can try: Gain knowledge about the condition To prevent social anxiety disorder from becoming overwhelming, it can be good for people who may have a tendency toward extroversion to gain as much knowledge about their condition as possible. Reading up and joining support groups can help people with social anxiety learn about the symptoms, spot them when they arise, and stem them before they get out of control. Take a breath Developing the ability to take a breath before diving into a social situation may help make socializing something to look forward to rather than dread. Kindness Performing acts of kindness can help extroverts feel as though they are making a positive contribution to the world. Knowing they are doing something that others will judge in a positive light may help to reduce any social anxiety. It is equally important for extroverts with social anxiety to treat themselves with kindness if they tend to criticize themselves about their condition. Relaxation Mindfulness practices, such as meditation, yoga, deep breathing, or even focusing on a hobby, can help take a socially anxious extroverted person out of their head. Any way a person can reduce stress can help alleviate all types of anxiety, including social anxiety. It may also provide them with techniques they can adopt when they feel an attack coming on. Talk with a professional The first line of treatment for social anxiety disorder is individual or group cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Findings from a 2021 study suggest that group CBT is beneficial for social anxiety, social functioning, and overall mental health in adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorder. A person can talk with a healthcare professional about how to start CBT. When to contact a doctor Social anxiety disorder is not always manageable through self-help techniques alone, in which case it is important to seek help. When the condition begins to cause issues in a person’s everyday life — such as avoiding social interaction due to fears at school, work, or with friends and family — they should speak with a doctor. A doctor may be able to help, or they may refer the person to a psychotherapist or other specialist healthcare professional, depending on their individual circumstances. Summary People often view extroverted people as outgoing and confident, and introverted people as more likely to experience social anxiety. However, extroverts can also be socially anxious. The actual meaning of introvert and extrovert has shifted in recent years. People tend to use extrovert for outgoing people and introvert for shy people. However, this is not necessarily correct. Rather, the terms introvert and extrovert refer to where a person’s energy and focus come from. The intense fear of other people’s judgment that comes with social anxiety can affect school, work, and social situations. This can be particularly challenging for extroverts, who often thrive in groups and get their energy from other people. When social anxiety starts to take over everyday life, a person should seek help from a healthcare professional. Last medically reviewed on June 29, 2022Mental HealthAnxiety / StressPsychology / Psychiatry 7 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Behera, N. et al. (2020). Effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy on social anxiety disorder: A comparative study.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33776279Costach, M. E. et al. (2020). Higher- and lower-order personality traits and cluster subtypes in social anxiety disorder.https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0232187Extrovert. (n.d.).https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extrovertSocial anxiety disorder. (n.d.).https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/social-anxiety-disorderSocial anxiety disorder. (n.d.).https://www.mhanational.org/conditions/social-anxiety-disorderSocial anxiety disorder. (n.d.).https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/social-anxiety-disorderSocial anxiety disorder: More Than Just Shyness. (2022).https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/social-anxiety-disorder-more-than-just-shynessFEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by N. Simay Gökbayrak, PhD — By Lauren Hellicar on June 29, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageWhat to know about social anxiety disorderMedically reviewed by Jennifer Litner, LMFT, CST Social anxiety disorder refers to excessive emotional discomfort, anxiety, fear, or worry about social situations. Learn more here.READ MOREWhat causes anxiety? A wide variety of factors can cause anxiety. These may range from fear of social situations or discrimination to side effects of medication. Learn…READ MOREWhat to know about anxietyMedically reviewed by Dillon Browne, PhD Anxiety is a normal emotion that causes increased alertness, fear, and physical signs, such as a rapid heart rate. However, when anxiety reactions…READ MORECBD for anxiety: What to knowMedically reviewed by Eloise Theisen, RN, MSN, AGPCNP-BC Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of several cannabinoids found in the Cannabis sativa plant. It is a non-psychoactive compound that may help to treat anxiety.READ MORETypes of anxiety disorderMedically reviewed by Timothy J. Legg, PhD, PsyD There are many types of anxiety, including phobias, social anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Learn all the symptoms and treatments here.READ MORE