I have social anxiety. The idea of going outside and socializing with strangers is panic inducing. I wholeheartedly agree this is because of the environment of having a culture of socializing face to face. Of course right now the idea of changing the culture is scary.
Where are you from?, I find that the idea of social anxiety is almost non existant in Spain (there is people less social, but doesn't seem to be a big issue, or super common), but I find that it's a common conversation topic in the states. Maybe you've been raised in an hambient that makes you more prone to experience social anxiety.
Also when I go out I don't do it with the idea of meeting strange people, but you do find people you know from time to time. And also you know you can have a nice conversation in the cafeteria at your street or the book shop.. It's not an anonimous and impersonal experience (although you may go the other way and have one if you wish, is not a big brother situation)
