Hi Piraeus! Yeah, I used to get (still do to an extent) social anxiety. Any room full of people and all I wanted to do was run away - usually ended up making a lame excuse to leave, or going out for a breath of air..People would wonder where I'd gone, as I wouldn't come back for ages. Purely social situations like parties were the worst for me as I felt so exposed.
Trouble is the association gets fixed. Crowd of people = anxiety / running away = solution. So I just kept repeating the pattern. It was only years later that I learnt what was going on with me.
I think you're right about adrenaline & anxiety. But have you tried any CBT type approaches as well as the meds? Good luck with it. I'm glad you've got this place to ask for ideas and support.