(((((((lavie))))))) I can relate to this when it comes to my online social participation. I don't socialize much in real life - on average about once or twice a month - and that is pretty consistent and doesn't tend to go in phases or vary. But I do notice some fluctuations with my online participation. I post a lot in the Games forum pretty much regardless of how I'm feeling, but my participation in the serious forums does go in phases and has quite a bit to do with my confidence level and low self-esteem issues. But also, as you say here, it has to do with my (in)ability to concentrate. Very often I just can't focus on really long posts. And sometimes anything more than a paragraph is too much. That isn't so much anxiety-related as feeling too unfocused to focus. Either because of brain fog or because my mind is leaping all over the place. Sometimes it's depression-related too. And sometimes I feel really apathetic.

I would think it's not common to go in phases of posting more and then posting less. Or socializing more or less. I don't think it's necessarily about lacking social skills. Certainly not in your case! Even though you talk about sometimes having trouble articulating your thoughts, it never comes across like that. You are really articulate and strike me as very socially skilled. Not to mention you're a hoot in games!!!!