Hm... well the way I am reading the difference is - shyness is like a personality trait, and being afraid is an emotion?

I am, by far, not shy! However... as a child I was incredibly afraid of people, and incredibly anxious ...as a result I barely spoke. So I behaved like an 'extremely shy' child. When I am afraid now, I am the same... I fel vulnerable and withdraw and try not to interact with people. But when I'm not afraid.... I'm full of gob!