hey welcome.

Yes I can definitely relate to you. I get pretty overwhelmed in large groups and hate really noisy places, and I dread have the spotlight shine on me. Which is weird because I did a some theater in high school and really liked it. Like you said the whole idea of becoming someone else was relieving. But I definitely need a lot of time to myself or else I will go crazy. I believe this is just who we are and how we are wired. There's no changing it but it's hard be the way we are (introverted) in a world that sees that as weird or abnormal. It makes us feel like outcasts which in return causes some depression, that's how I feel in my case anyway.

I hope you find some support and help on here too. Keep your head up