I would take their compliments as sincere, especially if you get them a lot!

The extra sensitive part is definitely part of the isolation experience. I get all paranoid when I go out after being alone for a long while that people are thinking all sorts of bad things about me.

I tend to talk to myself when I am alone and it is hard to remember not to do it in public.

For your situation, you seem quite normal to me and you are obviously an interesting person. Interesting in a good way.