clouds_and_sun and Rosie23- I am much like both of you in my social phobia also! If I submit myself to any social situations where I will have to talk to people face to face (which I usually avoid at all costs), i MUST have my "person" with me for comfort. No close person = no go! I don't initiate plans or invite people to my house either- harder to get out of those when I change my mind! Friendships are also very hard to keep for me. I have two close friends who understand the way I operate. They take up the slack and don't take anything I do personally, and that is the only reason I've been able to stay friends with them! Others don't understand my frequently not answering or returning their calls or texts; or why I always avoid doing social things with them. (Like saying i'll come (terrible people pleaser), then all of a sudden having a reason I can't at the last minute) Which of course just causes them to stop calling & inviting.

I dislike actually being alone too, but I really hate having to talk to people when they're around! "Um yes, I would really like to spend some time with you in person, but please don't talk to me unless I talk to you." Ha! Sometimes all I can do to cope is force myself to laugh at all the things that go through my head!