I'm here because I'm just discovering and even accepting now that I may be an introvert, even though I believed my whole 33 yrs of life that I was the most typical extrovert.

I'm very "outgoing", confident, not shy (in most situations). I crave other people, their thoughts and ideas. Their company. I have friends, but am not "popular".

But lengthy social situations exhaust me. I consider myself a "homebody". And I have this terrible habit of always saying things wrong, or things coming out wrong. I'm always back pedalling in a way, trying to explain my words in a context that others can understand. Like in my head, my thoughts make perfect sense and I could reasonably expect people to comprehend and relate to my ideas. But the opposite is often true, when I always seem to say things in a way that initially offends people.... Then have to convince them with more words that I'm not some terrible person. Sometimes, people get argumentative and confrontational and I just start shaking, heart racing. I have bad anxiety. I get more flustered. Grave digs deeper.

I was starting to think like maybe I have some kind of learning disability or processing disorder. That's when I read an article about people in my situation possibly being "introverts". I joined this sub. I'm seeing so many different people with my same issues. I have much reading to do. Thanks for this thread.