Is OTHER wrong in the post ? POST : My apologies for the limited title - I wasn’t sure how to explain my dilemma in such a short phrase, so please keep reading. An important clarification: I have absolutely nothing against people with mental disabilities (other than some internalized prejudice I’m sure I have) and fully support them interacting freely with mentally abled people. 

My issue is that I have a good amount social anxiety mixed into a generalized anxiety disorder, as well as a panic disorder. I really struggle with how to react to people with mental disabilities, because I am constantly worried that I will offend them, say something generally offensive/incorrect/otherwise unacceptable and be judged for it, and/or that I will somehow make a faux pas that ends up giving the impression that I am consciously prejudiced. Due to the fact that these interactions or potential interactions are so fraught with ‘danger’ for me, (even though logically I know it will be fine and that most slip ups can be alleviated with apologies and acknowledgements) I usually end up having a panic attack, or generally just running away from interactions with mentally disabled folks. 

So, here’s my question: AITA for wanting to completely avoid interactions with mentally disabled people, and generally avoid being around them, to spare myself the anxiety and panic that comes from it? Is it wrong of me to just want to escape however possible? I always try to be kind, but I know that it’s still obvious that I’m brushing them off in the hopes they’ll stop talking to me/ being around me. Am I a shitty person for prioritizing my anxiety/ panic issues over giving someone the time of day? 

TL;DR: I generally try to avoid people with mental disabilities because the complex social issues around those interactions make my anxiety/panic get really bad. AITA? 