Shyness/Depression Link

[tooshyershy]

Do you think there's a link between shyness and depression?

Only it's difficult to imagine an extrovert being depressed isn't it?! I picked up a book in the library the other day called Defeating Depression. There's a cure? I thought. On skimming through it I found that the cures they prescribe were exactly the same as those usually prescribed for shyness - join an evening class/club etc!

[Nicole]

There is a link, yes.

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is related to serotonin, dopamine, and GABA system dysfunction. Depression is related to low serotonin levels. I think over half of people with social anxiety disorder also have depression.

I guess I must be one of the lucky ones because I've never really had a problem with depression.

[spitzig]

Shyness and introversion are not the same thing. Shyness has anxiety as an important component. Introversion does not. People can be shy and extroverted.

Also, people get depressed about all kinds of stuff. If an extroverted person lost their job or their spouse died, I'd expect them to get as depressed as an introverted person would.