Great, there's a name for it...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avoidant_personality_disorder

How wonderful to know that my issues are so succinctly catalogued... :) I kind of wish I hadn't stumbled across this, because man, it hit the spot.

Symptoms, from the article:

1.Avoids occupational activities that involve significant interpersonal contact, because of fears of criticism, disapproval, or rejection
2.Is unwilling to get involved with people unless certain of being liked
3.Shows restraint initiating intimate relationships because of the fear of being ashamed, ridiculed, or rejected due to severe low self-worth.
4.Is preoccupied with being criticized or rejected in social situations
5.Is inhibited in new interpersonal situations because of feelings of inadequacy
6.Views self as socially inept, personally unappealing, or inferior to others
7.Is unusually reluctant to take personal risks or to engage in any new activities because they may prove embarrassing

Seven for seven.

Shit.

The part I love, though, is when they say that treatment can involve group therapy. Yeah, I can see it now -- a group of avoidant people sitting in an awkward silence for an hour, then leaving...

--Curt