Welcome to the forums, EJW. I agree that if you hang around, you will finds that social anxiety is widespread.

One thing that helped me understand myself a little better was when I stumbled on a book at the library about people who are "overly sensitive" by society's standards. Too much sensory stimulation makes us want to withdraw. It may be being with people, going to a mall alone, or even being a concert where the loud music "gets" to us. We need more time to recuperate from social and other sensory experiences. It made me feel less weird to read this book, by a psychologist, where this was described as just a difference, rather than a defect.

I hope you find what you need here, EJW.