What's the difference between SA and 'shyness'?

[sem3720]

I get confused with this too. When I first meet people, I am actually very outgoing and not worrysome at all. But after some time passes, that when SA kicks in for me, and I have all of the classic symptoms. I think I am naturally outgoing, but events in my life, combined with my tendency for anxiety, had made me socially anxious with existing relationships only, not new ones. Weird

[Yovella]

How interesting sem. I have a similar type of anxiety. I'm fine when I meet people usually but after seeing them the second or third time my anxiety grows until I begin to avoid them because I can't handle it. As a result I have very few friends and even people who I am best friends with and sometimes even family I find myself not sure what to say to them or wishing I could get away.

My doctor diagnosed me with anxiety but I'm wondering after reading this thread whether I have SAD more than general anxiety. Because just like the article Fear shared I am reasonably confident in my abilities to do certain things but when it comes to scenarios that require social interactions big or small I get enormous amounts of anxiety and often feel very trapped or plain inadequate.

[Zanshin]

My doctor diagnosed me with anxiety but I'm wondering after reading this thread whether I have SAD more than general anxiety. Because just like the article Fear shared I am reasonably confident in my abilities to do certain things but when it comes to scenarios that require social interactions big or small I get enormous amounts of anxiety and often feel very trapped or plain inadequate.

This is wise - I think that often...a lot of these disorders are mixed up by the Docs. I was diagnosed with depression, then general anxiety. Now I realize that all of my troubles were related to social situations...

[topeka999]

I have SA but have always just been referred to as shy and reserved.
I always hate that moment after someone says something to me and I just nod or smile back. They just turn away awkwardly. I guess they think I'm being rude or cold or something, but it's not like that at all! I'm the kind of person that only talks when she has something to say - not just to hear the sound of my own voice. But I feel as though this trait gets me into trouble with other people and gives them the wrong impression, making it hard for me to make friends. And it's not like you can just say, "I'm sorry, I have nothing to say". They just get the wrong idea again. What to do?!