Why Introverts Are More Likely to Have Social Anxiety

Introverts are often mistaken for living with social anxiety. However, these two concepts are vastly different.

The difference is that introversion is a personality trait that has to do with the source you get your energy from, while social anxiety is a mental disorder. Not every introvert is socially anxious and not every person with social anxiety is an introvert.

Still, the quiet ones are often more susceptible to social anxiety for a number of reasons.

1. They are prone to overthinking and self-criticism.

Being an introvert means being constantly immersed in the world of your thoughts. Since this personality type is more focused on what’s going on in their heads, they tend to be more analytical and self-aware.

These qualities are great on their own, but sometimes they evolve into self-absorption, overthinking and self-criticism. Introverts often end up overanalyzing their own feelings, behaviors and traits, which can lead them to unhealthy thought patterns and possibly mental disorders such as social anxiety.

It’s no secret that socially anxious people tend to be particularly harsh on themselves. They overanalyze the most trivial social situations, such as interacting with a cashier at a store, and beat themselves up for their awkward behaviors and poor performance in these kinds of situations.

2. They often have self-esteem issues.

Once again, not every introvert struggles with low self-esteem, but the truth is that insecurities are quite common among the quiet ones. They stem from the numerous social expectations that can ruin an introvert’s self-perception from a very young age.

As you know, the quiet ways are not often favored in our society, and introverted people are often undervalued and even pathologized in school, college, and ultimately, the workplace.

It’s not uncommon to see how parents and teachers force a quiet child into extroversion by using unhelpful methods such as comparisons with their more sociable peers. Of course, for the most part, adults have good intentions, but sadly the result is often the opposite of what they expect, and the only thing they achieve is to ruin the introverted kid’s self-esteem.

The little introvert grows to believe that they are flawed and there is something wrong with them. This paves the way for an inferiority complex, self-esteem issues, and social anxiety.

3. Many introverts have highly sensitive brains.

A highly sensitive brain is probably the least known root of social anxiety. Studies show that introverts are more likely to have the trait of high sensitivity than extroverts. But what does it mean to be a highly sensitive person?

It is someone who has increased emotional responsiveness, sensitivity to nonverbal cues, empathy, and a tendency towards overstimulation. A highly sensitive person can find any kind of stimulating environment overwhelming, whether we are talking about a room with too bright lights, a loud social gathering, or a crowded street downtown.

These overwhelming experiences can lead the highly sensitive introvert to withdrawal and avoidance of social interaction. With time, these unhealthy coping mechanisms can evolve into social anxiety.

One study indeed found that socially anxious participants had higher psychosocial awareness and empathy than those who did not live with this disorder. So, if you are a socially anxious introvert, you could, in fact, have a highly sensitive brain.

In my book, The Power of Misfits: How to Find Your Place in a World You Don’t Fit In, I extensively analyze the uncomfortable experiences of socially anxious introverts and the reasons behind them. There is a whole chapter devoted to the neglected link between social anxiety and a highly sensitive brain.

Sometimes your struggles as an introvert stem from your misused gifts and all it takes is to shift your focus in the right direction.