Your average extrovert may seem like a people person, but there's more to this designation than an outgoing personality. There are actually four types of extroverts, and they aren't necessarily united by a bubbly persona — rather, an extrovert is defined by the fact that they feel energized by social interactions. This can look quite different from person to person. Whereas one extrovert might thrive on meeting strangers and visiting new places, another extrovert may recharge their social battery by enjoying an intimate dinner party with a few close friends.
If you're an extrovert, you probably look forward to certain gatherings and events, but social anxiety can turn this into a love-hate relationship. Instead of relaxing and enjoying yourself, you may feel crippled by insecurity. This isn't quite the same as typical introverted social anxiety but can be just as impactful.
"Anyone can have social anxiety, but the experience of social anxiety for an extrovert may look different than that of an introvert. Extroverts often greatly value being liked by others, so they may be prone to overthinking and ruminating about how they are perceived," therapist Liz Kelly, LICSW, tells Talkspace. "Extroverts may feel a lot of pressure to constantly be 'on' and entertain other people. That internal expectation to entertain people or keep up a constant facade of happiness and excitement can be hard to sustain."
So, how can you tell if you're dealing with social anxiety? Mentally, extroverted social anxiety can mean self-consciousness, acute fear of embarrassment, and even worrying that your stress may be obvious. Physically, pay attention to how your body responds in social situations. Symptoms like an elevated heart rate, constant blushing, dizziness, and muscle tension can also be signs that you're experiencing social anxiety (per Banyan Treatment Center).
