Hi and welcome to another episode of the savvy psychologist I am your host

Dr. Ellen Hendrickson and every week I'll help you meet life's challenges with evidence-based research, a sympathetic ear, and zero judgment.

So at long last introverts are having their day.

Because over the last few years being quiet and

inner directed has become not only acceptable but downright trendy but introversion often gets mistaken for its more restrictive, self-conscious, but treatable

cousin, social anxiety.

And this confusion happens in two ways.

First, the two terms often get used interchangeably and then secondly

social anxiety mistakenly gets thought of as an extreme form of introversion. But while you can definitely be a socially anxious introvert, you can

also be a socially anxious extrovert. For example, you may really want to go to the bar with

your coworkers, but worry they actually don't want you there.

Or you may crave company, but obsess about the possibility you'll say something stupid.

So the two terms are actually quite different.

Far from being a psychological tomato, tomato,

the two are more like apple and orange.

And this week, we'll talk about five big differences.

So let's start with difference number one. talk about five big differences.

So let's start with difference number one.

So you were born in introvert,

but you were made socially anxious.

Introversion is a trait, meaning it's part of your inborn personality.

With social anxiety, while you may carry a predisposition towards it, you didn't come out of the womb with it.

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