Although I recently came across an old report card from 1st grade which said I kept talking to the other kids instead of doing my work.

So perhaps it was situational shyness that developed after being teased? I don't know.

I will say this: although I now get a charge out of going to parties where I know no one, I remember the horrifying dread I used to feel if I didn't know nearly everyone at a party. I remember feeling like I couldn't breathe when I had to talk to someone in a work situation whom I didn't know or like very much. It's all still very vivid in my memory.