Do you think introverts just have a fear of people?

[Haha456]

Humans are naturally designed to be pack animals, need a social life, need human interaction in order to be happy. There has also been numerous studies that have proven that socially active people, married people tend to live longer lives. Researchers equate being loneliness with smoking a pack of cigarettes a day. People with poor/ inadequate social relationships tend to get sick more frequently and lead shorter lives.

so there comes the case of the introvert- who hates people, never likes social surroundings, never enjoys conversation, wants 90% of their time alone.

do you really think these people just have a fear that inhibits them from being comfortable around others? things such as "every time I meet someone, I feel this pressure to perform well, appear well, be charismatic, and if I don't end up doing just that, I would feel terrible which is why I avoid people all the time or thats why I get so exhausted talking to people."

because at the end of the day, if studies show that extroverts tend to live longer than introverts, aren't all humans supposed to enjoy human interaction?

[Effably]

I think the key here is how we define introverts. If you just call it socially awkward and unwilling, yes you'd be right. I view it a differently.

I consider myself an introvert. I regularly interact with people professionally and privately, and would generally be seen as quite charming. Hold (held I suppose) speeches for hundreds every month throughout uni and typically thrived in that environment.

The difference between me and an extrovert is in energy. After I hold that speech for 300 people. Answer two dozen questions eloquently, invite the professor for coffee and flirt with the cute barista I wil go home, pull a blanket over my head and be completely exhausted. My sister (the extrovert) would do the same thing but she'd be all bubbling with energy and excited to keep going.

So the TL/Dr is that to me an introvert consumes energy in social interactions whereas an extrovert absorbs energy from social interaction.

Sure, knowing I'll have the energy levels of a slug after I work my social butterfly magic makes me very selective in when I do and that might play as antisocial. But if it is just a discussion with someone, a debate or alike? That mental stimulation energizes me. The social acknowledgement? Meh. Being shy is its own curse and has nothing to do with extro/introvertedness.

[Derekk]

Loneliness is complicated because you can be surrounded by people 24/7 and still feel lonely, likewise you can be alone by yourself and not feel "lonely" because you don't really need anybody.

A lot of people who are introverted are probably socially anxious or have other things preventing them from interacting in society, but lots don't. Humans are meant to be day time creatures too, but some of us are actually biologically adapted to being awake at night. It's the same thing.

[Uannoyme]

No. I'm an introvert and I don't fear people. It's that a lot of time spent around people leaves me tired and needing to be alone. I have a small circle of people that I enjoy being around, everyone else just drains me.

[MzAsh]

For me, it’s not a fear but rather an indifference or annoyance. There are only a few types of people I want to spend my energy on when being around. Most people are draining and a waste of time and energy.

[ShadezMcgee]

We don't have a fear of people. That would be social anxiety.

Introverts are defined as low energy and less social, but still social. They get stimulation through independence, personal hobbies and small groups of people we know. We don't like being around loud, large groups because they are draining and take energy from us.

It comes to a level of annoyance. It gets irritating dealing with people that either cannot or refuse to shut the fuck up for five minutes.

[purplepoppy]

That's not the definition of an introvert. The difference is introverts don't need positive social feedback. They can still be outgoing or sociable, party animals, often more than extroverts but they don't need group praise.

[abc3643]

No.
Many just find people annoying. This is why this picture is spot-on:

[Astarlessnightsky]

No.

Introverts do like to be social, just with only a small group of carefully selected close friends.

[WhitneySnow]

No. I don’t think that. I like social interaction but I’m still an introvert and at the end of the day I need some time alone to recharge.

[OddBeMe]

Not really. Best definition is a metaphor battery recharging. Some people recharge with other people and beers, others do it alone with bourbon and an ebook. And we’re all both. Just which side’s more, really.

[jshm2]

Nope. Quite the opposite. But they just don't know how to engage.

[Anonymous]

I actually enjoy engaging and interesting conversation quite a bit. It’s simply that most people tend to either have nothing meaningful to say or they are shit at having a conversation.

[AngryCarl]

Not all of them. Introversion and anxiety are distinct character traits.

[Alex8736]

introverts are very highly successful people and have great self reliance

[Snakeyes7]

No they don't. If they do, they wouldn't be able to handle one on one conversations either.

[HippieVeganJewslim]

I don’t fear people. I fear other things.