During the formative years of childhood and adolescence, it can be difficult for a parent to understand what their child is going through.
Particularly when it comes to mental and emotional challenges, the lines between what’s normal and what might need to be addressed can be very blurry.
Depression versus sadness; anxiety versus stress; learning difficulties versus disengagement…
They can all present overlapping signs and symptoms.
That’s why psychologists are constantly researching and analysing these conditions, so that they can be addressed and rectified as early as possible.
Social anxiety, shyness and introversion are three concepts which can be confused for this exact reason — they all lie on the same spectrum.
But while the latter two can be harmless and even positive personality traits, social anxiety can interrupt a sufferer’s ability to function on a day to day basis.
So what’s the difference?