What's the difference between social anxiety and being shy?

Being shy is much less severe. With social anxiety it's the actual feeling like your going to break down in the middle of a store because someone talks to you. Being shy is hiding behind somebody because your'e a little scared to speak. It's a huge difference.

Being shy is simply not wanting to or being scared of talking to people. Social anxiety is not wanting to or being scared of being judged or rejected by the people you are trying to connect with. It is a more intense feeling to have social anxiety. Some of the signs are that when faced with an uncomfortable social situation one will sweat, blush, or become flustered and possibly shaky.

Everyone is different, there is not a one answer fits all. Perhaps evaluating your feelings when they happen can give you a better idea. Or making a list of how you feel in certain situations. If you feel that being social or being around others interferes with certain activities in your life, perhaps speaking with a counselor or therapist can help you to sort that out.

Social anxiety and social shyness can stem from the same source. When faced with the intensity that relationship brings, we can feel unsafe. Fear can arise in the body and it appears as anxiety, excitement or even frozenness. However it manifests, the root is always the same: self consciousness and self reflection in relationship with another person.

Anxiety is when it physically and/or emotionally pains you to be around others or to be social. Being shy can be tough, and emotionally draining, but social anxiety is a very different type of shy.

This is an awesome question! I am wondering about this too unfortunately I honesty can't answer this to my full potential

Social anxiety is often more crippling then being shy. Being shy is difficult and can cause a lot of discomfort, but social anxiety is more prone to cause severe panic attacks and often times requires therapy

Social anxiety is like shy on steroids. Social anxiety makes you never want to leave home, talk to anyone, or have even the tiniest glimpse at a social interaction. Shyness is just feeling a tad bit awkward and quiet when you meet someone. Shyness is much easier to over come than acute social anxiety.

There is not a difference. But you are probably asking about a disorder. And a disorder it becomes: when distress you feel significantly interferes with your day to day life. So then there is a difference. It cannot be objectively measured though, as is the case with many mental disorders and illnesses, your diagnosis is a matter of questionnaire for the most part. Shyness is a personality trait, social anxiety is something everybody feels from time to time (giving a speech, having a date etc..) and social anxiety disorder is when your social anxiety goes over the top and lowers your quality of life, makes you avoid things.

Being shy is something most people get during school and a young age, anxiety is something not everyone gets but when they do they struggle to handle it, it has an impact on everything they do wether that's school, work or relationships