The Confusion Between Social Anxiety and Being Introverted

I’ve noticed that a lot of people (including some introverts themselves) confuse being introverted with having social anxiety. While they can overlap, they are not the same thing.

Introversion means that social interactions drain your energy, and you need solitude to recharge. It doesn’t mean you dislike people or fear social situations. it just means you prefer them in smaller doses, with meaningful conversations rather than constant interaction.

Social anxiety, on the other hand, is a fear of judgment or embarrassment in social settings. It can make social situations stressful, even when you want to engage. It’s less about needing alone time and more about avoiding social interactions due to anxiety.

I’m an introvert, but I don’t feel anxious in social situations. I just prefer peace, one-on-one conversations, and time to myself. Yet I’ve been told, “Oh, you must have social anxiety” so many times.

Does anyone else experience this misconception? Have you had to explain the difference to people?