Being pushed into social interaction has always burned me out and made it more difficult to socialize. It just drains me, and I become even more apprehensive about having to fake my way through the next event.

I think part of it is that I don't really seem to get anything from the company of others on its own. If I'm having an interesting conversation or joking around with someone I enjoy, that can be great. But I don't seem to have the same need to just be around people that others do, and it took me a while to realize that my brain does, in fact, work differently in this regard compared to most people.

If anything, being pulled into what I experience as meaningless socialization increases any sense of isolation.