How does it deal with genetic abnormalities though? If you're introverted, 50% genetic, no amount of therapy is going to make you extroverted. Same with lifting weights at the gym, it won't make you an extrovert either.
There what helps imho: fake it. I am super outgoing when having to talk to people, no one would expect me to be introverted. This is probably what behavioral therapy could do to you. I also think you can work on this yourself but as usual the biggest obsticle in this all is you yourself first.
Therapy has not really helped me, just felt like talking to someone and that's it. Most of my issues I have gotten rid of myself by going out, facing my fears and doing a tiny bit more every day. As you said, gym won't help you in this, doesn't work for everyone at least. It does give you a boost in confidence which is tremendously useful if you wanna get more outgoing. You'll never not be introverted though, contact with too many people still drains me and I need my alone time occasionally. I am no recluse though like I used to be.
The problem with faking it is that you have to keep faking it and lying, potentially for the rest of your life. That gets exhausting over time and eventually they get found out and the fall out does not end well. You do you but I personally would not recommend anyone act fake.
In front of friends obviously don't lie. But say customers, random acquaintances you are not friends with. I know no introvert that doesn't feel comfortable with close friends personally, be you around them, be someone else around others.
I don't think being introverted is something you need to 'cure', as long as it is not detrimentally impacting your life. I only really have one friend my own age IRL, and we don't do an awful lot together, but I get enough socialisation through work and church to where I don't feel like I'm being devoured by my own thoughts every day (like I used to). I feel like I have enough of a connection with the world.
You find a level of social interaction that suits you, and as long as you can still hold a decent conversation and interact with society in a sensible manner, I don't think you need to push yourself to be a people person. Heck, that might even do more damage than good.
Social interaction can be learned like any other skill.
The hard part is finding situations to dip your toe in because jumping all the way is too scary at first.
My recommendation is talking with old people. They are happy anyone pays attention to them and are patient about waiting for you to organize your thoughts before responding.
How does it deal with genetic abnormalities though? If you're introverted, 50% genetic, no amount of therapy is going to make you extroverted. Same with lifting weights at the gym, it won't make you an extrovert either.
There what helps imho: fake it. I am super outgoing when having to talk to people, no one would expect me to be introverted. This is probably what behavioral therapy could do to you. I also think you can work on this yourself but as usual the biggest obsticle in this all is you yourself first.
Therapy has not really helped me, just felt like talking to someone and that's it. Most of my issues I have gotten rid of myself by going out, facing my fears and doing a tiny bit more every day. As you said, gym won't help you in this, doesn't work for everyone at least. It does give you a boost in confidence which is tremendously useful if you wanna get more outgoing. You'll never not be introverted though, contact with too many people still drains me and I need my alone time occasionally. I am no recluse though like I used to be.
The problem with faking it is that you have to keep faking it and lying, potentially for the rest of your life. That gets exhausting over time and eventually they get found out and the fall out does not end well. You do you but I personally would not recommend anyone act fake.
In front of friends obviously don't lie. But say customers, random acquaintances you are not friends with. I know no introvert that doesn't feel comfortable with close friends personally, be you around them, be someone else around others.
I don't think being introverted is something you need to 'cure', as long as it is not detrimentally impacting your life. I only really have one friend my own age IRL, and we don't do an awful lot together, but I get enough socialisation through work and church to where I don't feel like I'm being devoured by my own thoughts every day (like I used to). I feel like I have enough of a connection with the world.
You find a level of social interaction that suits you, and as long as you can still hold a decent conversation and interact with society in a sensible manner, I don't think you need to push yourself to be a people person. Heck, that might even do more damage than good.
Social interaction can be learned like any other skill.
The hard part is finding situations to dip your toe in because jumping all the way is too scary at first.
My recommendation is talking with old people. They are happy anyone pays attention to them and are patient about waiting for you to organize your thoughts before responding.