Shyness.....

No, I don't think that shyness can be put down to depression. I would call that withdrawal, not shyness. I think shyness stems from your upbringing and your ability to converse with others, which subjects are taboo to you, etc. I was quite shy as a youngster, perhaps up to the age of about 27, when I went to Germany and had to put my shyness behind me. I was in Germany for three years, and had to be a bit more extrovert to get to know people and really, that cured my shyness. It was nothing to do with depression, more my upbringing. Now, there's no holding me back. I'll talk to anybody, about any darned thing, and for hours, at that! lol. Thank you for this discussion... very interesting. Brightest Blessings.

You have to be socialize to other people so you have friends to mingle with.Ithink it is only a feeling of to b depressed. Joining in aclub or group can build a special to you.I think your are feening negatively because you haven't share with anyone.Goodluck.

I don't believe that shyness is a sign of depression. The shy person is generally not depressed but just shy perhaps because he's not yet been familiarized with so many things he's shy of. But once he gets familiarized, then the shyness is gone. And as a person grows, the shyness wane until it's totally gone. Of course, there are those shy people who are depressed. But generally, shy people are not depressed and shyness is not at all a sign of depression.

Hahaha! what a joke. Shyness being a sign of depression? C'mon get real. If shyness is to be construed as as gin of depression, more than half of the entire population would be categorized as depressed. Thanks not really a good number is it?

Not necessary, can be anything... hard to tell shyness a sign for depression. God bless you,

No shyness is just a personality trait, same as being outgoing is on the opposite spectrum. So no i don't believe it's a sign of depression. However, if someone who was formally outgoing suddenly withdraws and "seems" shy that may be a sign. Its the withdrawl from social events *they once enjoyed* that could be a sign of depression, not the natural personality trait of shyness itself.

No it is not a sign of depression. It is a personality trait. Some people are outgoing some are not. Some are introverts some extroverts. There is nothing wrong with either.

shyness and withdrawl can often be confused. I would say shyness appears to be a result of low self esteem or an inability to socialy engage with others. Withdrawl, on the other hand seems to be the result of a deliberate decision to close oneself off from society as a whole. I think shyness can be debilitating and would not try to belittle its impact but depression is a physical disease that with correct handling can be ameliorated, shyness apppears to be somewhat a social construction brought about by the expectations of others thank you for launching a fascinating discussion

I've had clinical depression before and I don't think being shy is one of the signs... Maybe the person who posted that meant something else or maybe he or she couldn't find the right word. The first thing that popped into my mind was that she meant being more aloof than usual or less chatty... Personally, I avoided people when I was really down. I'd stay up in my room for hours without going out. I'd also rarely talk... whereas, before the onset of my depression, I was very talkative...

Wow. I have NEVER heard this. I am a christian too, but I have been shy since I was little. I have outgrown it somewhat but still well I can be shy. I highly doubt I am depressed. I never FEEL depressed when I am shy just well shy.

shyness is a person's disposition

I don't think for a minute that Shyness is a sign of depression. I've been a shy person for most of my life, but have only suffered depression for the last three years. I think some people might mistake the wanting to be alone part of depression for shyness, but I don't believe that Shyness is an actual symptom of being depressed. There are a lot of symptoms of Depression, that I do know, but I've never seen shyness listed anywhere and I've never heard any Doctor mention it either. I'm sure they would have if it were true.

Well, I've had issued with depression since childhood it seems. And I was also extreamly shy. I do think that introvertedness is a born thing. Some children are introvets, some aren't. Heck, I can see that in cats too. I have had a couple of cats that are shy, and came to us that way as very young kittens, while others in the litter are not - so it has to be nature rather than nurture. My sister is an extrovert - in our family, the most extroverted of the 3 of us. My brother is also an extrovert, but not as much as my sister. I think they must've gotten it from mom since dad was more introverted, tho he learned to speak in public, and even seemed to enjoy it, I know he was just as happy quietly working in his office.

its not necessarily a dipreciation but also develops toward hasitating nature like some body may comment bad or it developes due to unnecessary respect toward another person.

No shness stems from a lack of self confidence, or self esteem. Feelings of unimportance, unworthiness, lack of conversational or social skills. Shyness is intriguing and makes one a good listener however and that is a good tool for any social scene or activity. Painfully shy people are borderline obsessive/compulsive in their attempts to fade into the woodwork and to go unnoticed. One who has established that they are shy in social situations should undertake to become more outgoing. It is only through practice and force of will that will allow change and interactivity with the world around you on much bolder terms.

No I do not believe that shyness is a sign of depression at all. Shyness is just the personality of that particular person it has nothing to do with depression, you will find that people with shyness are very timid people and find it hard to socialize with others, and that is why they become shy.

Shyness is not a sign of depression. Shyness is at least partly an inborn temperament. Shy people aren't all depressed and depressed people aren't necessarily shy. Very outgoing people can get depressed. There is little or no relationship between them.

I disagree, of all those people whom I have known who were shy and there were a few, only one has ever had to deal with depression. Shyness is to some degree a level of insecurity, but this to me doesn't mean that the person is depressed. And some who are shy are not shy at all once they feel comfortable with those around them, they just need to establish a clear comfort zone as their base.

No, I believe shyness and depression are two very different things. However, depression can cause avoidance and anxiety-- which means a person doesn't really want to be out among people, and that can LOOK like shyness. I know plenty of shy people who have no signs of depression. In fact, they seem like pretty happy people-- they just like quiet time, and dealing with people one person at a time.

I don't agree for the simple reason that I myself am a shy person but I'm not depressed at all. I'm very happy with my career and personal life. I have read some of the responses here and I'm happy for the people who were able to cure their shyness. For me I don't feel a need to cure it. I'm happy to have few, good quality friends. I'm happy to go out with them once or twice a year. For dating, I'm happy to date only one woman. I prefer quality over quantity.