How is social anxiety different from shyness?

Ever notice how social anxiety isn't just "in your head" - it's like a smoke alarm that won't stop. ## What's Actually Happening When you're dealing with social anxiety, your brain and body are responding to what they perceive as threats. Think of it like having a security system that's way too sensitive - it's doing its job, just doing it too well. ## The Physical Reality Your nervous system doesn't distinguish between real and perceived danger. So when social anxiety kicks in, you get: - Racing heart (your body prepping for action) - Tight chest (shallow breathing to get oxygen fast) - Racing thoughts (your brain scanning for solutions) - Muscle tension (ready to fight or flee) ## Why This Matters Understanding this isn't about "fixing" yourself - you're not broken. It's about recognizing that your responses make perfect sense given what your system thinks is happening. Your brain isn't the enemy. ## What Actually Helps Instead of fighting these responses, we can work *with* your nervous system. This might look like grounding techniques, breathing exercises, or simply acknowledging what's happening without judgment. Remember: You're not overreacting. You're responding exactly as a human would when their alarm system is activated.