I don't know. But the counselor can help you figure that
out. And maybe it's some of both. I have social anxiety and
also didn't learn how to socialize from my family. So I have both
problems.

You mean they aren't synonyms? ? ? I know I use the two terms interchangeably. Whatever name you give ^it^, ^it^ is one of my meaner psych symptoms.

One of my nightmare social scenarios is the "It could be worse" portion of the party. By the time everybody has finished listing all the things they are grateful they are NOT, I feel like they have created a macabre story of my life. Yes, friends, you *should* be grateful you are not me.

By whatever name, therapy has helped me get a little bit of handle on ^it^. It's been a decade or three since I've tried to hang myself after a juicy could-be-worse party.

Hope counseling helps you, too. Gentle support while you work the process.

I've always been socially akward.

You know I used to be able to let all that stuff slide right off. While never the social butterfly as they say, I’ve always seemed to hold my own out in public. I still have anxiety attacks from stress and fear though, so I know how bad that can be. I’m 40 so when I was young it was either go outside and meet people or nothing that was it. I think the internet has kind of hurt many people in that way, but it can help maybe. If you can come on here and post things about your personal life and your problems, that’s being somewhat social. It’s a good way to practice communicating with others. I liked sports so it was easy to talk to people about that. Then it was easier to talk about other things and before you know it you could talk to anybody. The fear of rejection is scary, but it doesn’t hurt. It can sting a bit but you walk up to someone and say hey and they either stop and say hey back or hey keep walking. It’s not the end of the world so try not looking at it like that. I know easier said than done, but it’s worth a shot.

I commend you for trying to find a balance with that. I’m socially awkward too but I think I settled a bit in being that and allowed myself to become isolated. I believe if you are strong enough to work on it, you’re strong enough to overcome it. Keep striving

They are probably the same thing. No need to put a label on it :)

Maybe you are just shy and quiet. Nothing wrong with that. When hanging out with a group of your work guy friends, there's typically the loud one, the jokester one, the *quieter one* (maybe you), etc. Don't feel forced to talk about some brilliant exciting topic. When I walk up to a group of strangers talking, I'll just smile, stand there for a bit, laugh when they laugh, and when I feel comfortable, I'll ask something simple like "Oh, what department does that person work in? And how long have you worked here?"

People like a person that is a good listener. So you could work on that part. I think it's easier to be the listener than the talker, at least at first.

I am so sorry you are dealing with this. Counseling is such a good idea and a huge step in the right direction. They will be able to help you distinguish between social anxiety and social awkwardness. It will be such a big help for you!I hope everything works out!