I have avoidant also and love my cat. I can hardly remember what life was like before Tyger. I am getting better about being around strangers but find that if I'm in a large crowd I tense up and have to get out of it quickly. Probably why I stay home a lot.

I'm in therapy and it is helping some but I still shop at the stores where there isn't a lot of people. If I have to go to walmart I try to do it when I think there isn't going to be a lot of people.

Jbug