Social Withdrawal
Social withdrawal is a hallmark of social anxiety. The sufferers in this case, fear people, or situations that may develop in a public place. A number of other factors associated with people, for example judgement, low self-esteem and peer pressure etc. can also cause the patients to ultimately avoid social gatherings. This becomes a sort of defense mechanism.
Even in other types of anxiety, like generalized anxiety disorder, patients may feel uneasy being around people. It is most often seen in teenage and young adult population. A heightened recognition of one’s own thinking process may lead to the patient feeling a misfit in the company of other people. Social stigma around mental illnesses further draws a distinct line which patient dare not cross.