What is Social Anxiety?

[mentals]

Every time I have to talk in a group or meet someone new, I panic inside. Is that social anxiety or just being shy?

I am quite shy but I can manage in social situations, overthinking and panicking meeting new people is affecting your life, I would say you might be socially anxious.

Although i would rather poke my eye out than do any public speaking that's probably the only thing I couldn't manage.

To my view, for something to be 'social anxiety' it would need to be debilitating, as in you just can't do it.

I would tend towards the "you're just shy" explanation. It does depend on the level of panic (I know that's hard for you to judge), but basically it's normal to feel nervous in those situations.

I think that's quite normal

It's being shy and it's normal - social anxiety would mean avoiding social situations even to the detriment of work and family relationships.

Ironically "I'm a bit nervous" is a great ice-breaker!