Being shy or introverted isn't a psychological disorder, and doesn't require medication. Here's the difference between social phobias and social anxiety disorders.
A social phobia is less anxiety-provoking than social anxiey disorder. Shyness, for example, is a type of social phobia. Shy people may experience irrational fear of being with others, but they don't suffer from panic attacks. Most people feel occasional uneasiness in new or unpredictable situations (this is healthy and normal).
A social anxiety disorder occurs when the anxiey of being with people is distressing and persistent. Anxiety disorders can escalate into panic attacks. People with social anxiety disorder feel uncontrollably tense.
Dr Brian Cox is a professor of psychology, psychiatry and community health sciences at the University of Manitoba. He stresses that if a psychologist or doctor sees someone with social anxiety disorder, the doc may prescribe mediation. Social phobias, on the other hand, don't usually require a prescription because it's not a psychological disorder. That's why it's important to know the difference between social phobias and social anxiety disorders.
For more info about shyness, introverted personality traits, and anxiety disorders, try:
The source of my information about Dr Cox is the "Don't Confuse Shyness With Mental Illness" article by Carol Sanders in the Winnipeg Free Press.
