If you had to put people into groups based on the ways they fuel their energy, you could distinguish two broad categories of extroverted and introverted people. Extroverted people feel best and most energized when they are interacting with others, while introverts recharge by being on their own and social interactions drain them to exhaustion.

Introversion is a personality trait and not a mental health condition, but it is often confused with social anxiety disorder. Introverts aren’t necessarily anxious in a busy social environment, but it just takes a lot of energy to be engaged, while for people suffering from social anxiety, such an environment causes nervousness and fear, although some research suggests that introverts are more likely to feel social anxiety compared to extraverts.

It seems that this could be the case as evident from a thread started by Reddit user Sarayka81 who asked, “What situation is an introvert’s nightmare?” Many people noticed that redditors started listing situations that are more dreadful for people with social anxiety instead of introvertedness and concluded that they might not be able to make a distinction between them if they have both, although a big chunk of them related to the scenarios mentioned.

More info: Reddit

#1 Phone Calls

Phone calls. Receiving and twice as bad having to make one.

Image credits: Isand0

It seems that the definitions of introversion and social anxiety are different, but as many people in the thread pointed out, the terms get mixed up and socially anxious people might think that their fears are just part of being an introvert.

Bored Panda reached out to Distinguished Professor at University of California Riverside Sonja Lyubomirsky, who teaches at the Department of Psychology, to find out what causes the misconception.

She explained to us, “My guess is that it’s because socially anxious people often say little in social interactions and appear uncomfortable (like they prefer to be alone). Introverts actually DO enjoy alone time, but not because they are afraid of social interactions. Just a lot of socializing exhausts them.”

#2 Being Picked Out Of The Crowd

Being picked out of the crowd at an assembly, concert, magic show etc.

Image credits: fedwood

#3 Introducing Yourself

Let’s all introduce ourselves

Image credits: meiliraijow

#4 Finding A Partner In Class

Teacher: “Everyone find a partner!”

Image credits: tidita7889

Whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert depends both on your genetics and your effort. Sonja Lyubomirsky has read studies that said “that the heritability of this trait is 40 to 50%. However, just like with anything that’s heritable (most human traits), this doesn’t mean that we can’t change it with deliberate effort.”

The professor gave herself as an example: “I myself was ‘born’ an incredibly shy person (a trait related to introversion) but with a great deal of effort and willpower, I have transformed myself into a huge extrovert. But it takes work.”

#5 When Parents Have Guests

As a child my worst nightmare was when my parents got visitors and I’m stuck upstairs hungry and thirsty because I can’t access the kitchen.

Image credits: mikasott

#6 Being Called Out For Staying Quiet

“Why are you being so quiet?”

Image credits: vagitablepi

#7 When A Friend Leaves You At A Party

Your social butterfly friend begs you to go to a party with him. You go there and he wanders off to talk to literally everyone there while you follow him like a puppy.

Image credits: Nomadic_View

You may think that trying to analyze your personality traits is useless, but you may benefit from knowing whether you’re an introvert or extrovert. Sonja Lyubomirsky believes in what Francis Bacon once said, which is “knowledge is power,” because “It helps you understand that your reactions (e.g., need to rest after a party or take breaks) are normal and healthy.”

It is important to know because her observation is that “In the U.S., extroversion is relatively highly valued (e.g., in leaders, in job interviews, in speaking up in teams, on dates).” So she thinks that it is easier for extroverts to live in the current society in the US, but introverts shouldn’t think that something is wrong with them and their reactions, rather that it’s just how their brain and body works.

#8 When You Plan To Meet One Person But They Bring Someone Else Too

“Wanna hang out this Saturday?”

“Sure!”

*Saturday arrives, 10 minutes before hangout time*

“Oh also I invited my friend you have never met before to join us”

“…”

Image credits: drflanigan

#9 Having To Speak Publicly Without Preparing In Advance

Being forced into public speaking last moment.

Image credits: Ultrabigbutt

#10 People Invading Personal Space

People barging into my personal space uninvited

Image credits: GDog507

Do you feel that any of these situations are unbearable to you? Do you think you are actually introverted or have you been confusing it with social anxiety? Let us know your thoughts in the comments and if there are any “nightmares” that weren’t mentioned in the list, tell us about them as well!

#11 Guests Showing Up Unannounced

People randomly showing up to hang out at your own place

Image credits: Girly_Sylvia

#12 Crowds

Crowds

Image credits: ransom0374

#13 When A Person Can’t Take A Hint To Leave You Alone

When the person you’ve been forced into meaningless small-talk with just straight-up does not read your subtle cues that you prefer to be left the f**k alone.

Image credits: modern_aftermath

#14 School Presentations

School presentations.

Image credits: GabThePretto

#15 Comments About You Finally Socializing

Comments like “Look who finally came out of their room” or “Oh wow you can talk!” When I finally step a bit out of my comfort zone.

Image credits: True_85

#16 Being Asked To Show More Enthusiasm

“That’s not loud enough, I said ‘GOOD MORNING TEAM!’”

Image credits: mysecretissafe

#17 Party Where Everyone Talks For Hours

A party where all people do is stand around and talk. For hours. I just want to be in bed with a book thanks

Image credits: Radioactivocalypse

#18 Servers Singing “Happy Birthday” In Front Of Everyone

Waiter/waitress bringing cake and singing happy birthday in front of the whole restaurant

Image credits: watermelown-1999

#19 Living In A Shared Room

My college has put me in a shared room with a stranger who doesn’t speak English. There is no where for me to go and re-charge my social battery. I am losing my mind- don’t get me wrong, I like my roommate. She seems real sweet but by god I need a minute to myself.

Image credits: dum_biatch

#20 Being Stuck On A Train With A Colleague You Recognize But Don’t Know Well Enough

Here’s mine: meeting a coworker that you don’t know very well on the train, locking eyes and having to engage in conversation for the next 30-40 minutes.

All you want to do is read your book, but there’s no way out and you decide to put up a brave front.

They’re not thrilled to see you because you already have a reputation for being kind of weird. The more you talk the weirder they think you are. You can see it in their eyes. Already you can hear the office gossip in your head: “Oh my God, guess who I was stuck on the train with…”

Nightmare fuel. Work from home was a blessing in this regard.

Image credits: jew_biscuits

#21 Unwanted Marriage Proposal

Public marriage proposal which they want to turn down.

Image credits: disco_di_piscio

#22 Afterparties

Afterparties.

You mean there’s more stuff to do after the stuff we planned on doing? I only have so much energy to deal with people and it was already used up.

Image credits: Nyctomancer

#23 Small Talk

Small talk. If I’m gonna give you my attention and take myself out of my inner world you’d better have something stimulating to talk about.

Image credits: anewstartforu

#24 Leaving The House

My wife: “Hey, do you wanna leave the house today?”

Image credits: Bobisburnsred

#25 Networking Events

Networking events

Image credits: normal-girl

#26 Finding A Job

Finding a job

Image credits: Potential_Departure6

#27 Not Being Given Notice About Group Activities

Being asked to do some group activity on such short notice and being put on the spot without having a legitimate reason for not wanting to do it aside from “I just don’t feel like it”

Image credits: Jopast22

#28 Ice Breakers

ice breakers

Image credits: Ready_Difficulty_622

#29 Surprise Party For You

A total surprise party for me at my place with everyone and their significant other so I’m essentially the 49th wheel at my own party. Kill me now.

Edit: I exaggerated the number but I have been a 9th wheel at a couples party (I did NOT know it was going to be all couples) but glad to know this is so relatable ?

Image credits: Anneboleyn33

#30 A Large Wedding With You In The Center Of Attention

A large wedding. Being the center of attention for an entire day sounds f*****g terrible. Especially with a lot of family members I don’t particularly care for, or haven’t seen in years and having to pretend like I’m happy to see them and “oh my gosh it’s been soooo looong”.

Nooooo thank you.

Image credits: Sun-Public

#31 A Friend Taking You Out To A Nightclub

A friend taking you out to a nightclub

Image credits: Elementus94

#32 Presenting Yourself As The Best Roommate

something we have in the Netherlands that is called “hospiteeravonden”.

Basically students here share a house (like a normal, family house) where each person rents a room and you share a living space, kitchen and bathroom together. And to get one of those rooms, the rest of the house usually has to pick you as their new room mate. So they organize these evenings where you go to the house and you meet the people living there, show the room and they get the chance to get an impression of you and possibly pick you to rent the room.

It’s the worst because you constantly have to show them how much fun you are and how great you are and it is literally my nightmare and one of the reasons I never rented a student room lol

Image credits: Apprehensive-Pen-531

#33 Summer Camp

Your parents force you to go to a summer camp because “they loved going to camp when they were kids!”. It’s one where you’re not allowed a phone, sleep in a cabin with 12 other kids plus two of the most peppy, overly upbeat, overbearing camp councilors ever to exist.

It’s day one of a week long camp. The morning starts with a 6am wakeup shout from Councilor A, who leads the cabin in a morning song before you’re led to the communal showers. After everyone is dressed it’s time for breakfast at the mess hall, where the camp leader has everyone sing the camp motto song before food is served. The food is everything you hate in particular.

The day is then filled with a barrage of group activities: Rockwall, group crafts, a talent show, swimming in a gross pond (in a bathing suit you hate that makes you feel self conscious), more camp songs, a SECOND talent show (WHY?!), overly competitive sports, etc.

Finally after singing for the 100th time dinner is over and people return to their cabins to sleep. Your councilors however decide before bedtime everyone needs to sit in a circle and share with the group about their lives. This share circle is going to happen every night of camp. One final obstacle each day to the minor reprieve that is lights out.

It’s been six days of this level of constant over hyped interaction. It’s lights out after the last day. You’ve done it, you survived. You go to sleep knowing tomorrow you get to go home. At 6am you are startled awake by your camp councilor. You’re filled with a sense of deja-vu and dread. It dawns on you that this is Day 1 of camp all over again. You’re stuck in a time loop groundhog’s day style. An eternity of summer camp on repeat. An eternity in hell.

Image credits: WorkLemming

#34 Karaoke Night

I am introverted but have good social skills, and these comments are purgatory. I am wincing at all of them.

Thanks, I hate it.

Also— **Karaoke Night**.

Image credits: Girhinomofe

#35 Testifying In Court

Introverted cop here. Testifying in court sucks, especially when you’re doing it solo and don’t have a prosecutor just asking you questions. Solo is like 90% of all testimony though.

Image credits: codyak1984

#36 Talent Show With Coworkers

A ad-hoc talent show with co-workers. As someone who’s maybe not a full introvert but has a limit on my extroverted’ness… this happened to me and I basically said “no thanks”.

Image credits: Flat_Establishment_4

#37 Overnight Conference With Coworkers

Traveling to an event, like a big conference, where you’ll be with coworkers the entire time for two days, and you share a hotel room with two of them.

Literally no time away to yourself.

And you arrive home Sunday night, and you work on Monday at 0730.

Image credits: Aspiring_Polymath_3

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