I have always been an introverted shy person, I can look back and see that when I was more extroverted my behaviors coincided with other hypomanic behaviors. In saying all that, its been in phases. This past year, my social anxiety/phobia came to a forefront that bypassed all that I'd had previously, in April I had to quit facilitating a support group that I'd been with for over 4 years. How I'd even managed to be a facilitator I'm not sure, it sort of evolved. I had lots of support too in the beginning. I actually started that a month before joining PC, all those years ago. My dr even put me on an AD that is for OCD, off label for social anxiety.
The anxiety still comes in phases...when I am depressed I don't want to see or talk to anyone, I even use the self checkout lane at the supermarket (usually I'm lazy).
We talked about trying toastmasters while at therapy today and the actual thought of having to get up in front of people and talk about something without even preparing, I'd pass out. No doubts. Not sure I could do it with prep.