I was outgoing, learned to talk quickly, and didn't feel too awkward in social situations as a child. I did get shyer and shyer with age, but even through my first year in college (I'm 19 now) I preferred with company of friends to being alone in my dorm all the time, and although people say I'm eccentric, they still think I have charisma, and I am very good at picking up on the emotions of others. However, it is difficult for me to respond, even when I know how someone feels. Empathy and emotion makes me feel uncomfortable. I won't watch a romantic film unless I'm alone. I do go blank if I have to hold a conversation for longer than "hey, what's up..." Up until recently after I warmed up to someone I could talk to them for hours and could be really flirty. It seems like I'm shy around everyone now and I talk in a baby-ish voice because of it. I also do have to do things routinely and with little spontaneity. I HAD BEEN in a period of mild/moderate depression (I'm diagnosed bipolar) and when I was depressed I needed to be around people so I'd have validation that I had friends, but then out of the blue I stopped caring about people's company. My self-esteem is higher than ever now, my energy is fairly high as well, as is my ambition, so I don't think I'm depressed, but my mom says I always have a stoic facial expression and monotone, gloomy voice. I don't even realize it. Also, I have to be alone constantly now. I feel miserable around people. I scream when someone calls me on the phone or if my mom surprises me by entering the room I'm in. I get paranoid that she's doing it on purpose and get violent thoughts. Noise sounds louder and scarier to me than it used to. And I can only understand what people are saying if they are really concise. I daydream more often than I don't. I get agitated and hostile if my train of thought is interrupted.