I do that....where sometimes I can talk to people I know well and other times I can't. For me it has to do with energy & confidence. If I've been taking care of myself then I tend to have more energy & confidence, then I'm better equipped to communicate. If I'm running low on energy and my confidence is shot then I do my best to avoid those situations cause I know I'm just not up for it.

I've never been diagnosed as an avoidant but I seem to fit the bill. I've been formally diagnosed with clinical depression and generalized anxiety disorder. I also strongly feel like I'm social phobic. I post here cause I like this group of people , I relate to so much here, and everyone's advice does me a lot of good.

I want to say I can relate to 'creating awkward anxious situations for yourself and others'. I used to do this a lot and for me I think it has to do with over thinking things and working myself up into a neurotic confused mini storm. Too much self-reflection does me harm. Once I start doing instead of thinking then my responses to people are more natural....I hope that makes sense. But I do best if I have energy & confidence which I get from taking care of myself and adequate down time- time alone that I have to have in order to function....a classic introvert thing.