If someone suffering from extreme anxiety decides to retreat—whether physically, socially, or psychologically—from the demands of daily public life, and they are met with condemnation or criticism from others, it is crucial that they ground their response in an understanding of personal sovereignty, psychological necessity, and the limits of others' empathy. To begin with, it must be emphasized that no one has an inherent right to demand the constant emotional availability or participation of another human being, particularly when that participation comes at the cost of the individual’s health or stability. Mental health is not a luxury or a negotiable priority; it is a baseline condition for being able to engage in the world meaningfully and sustainably. Therefore, any action taken to preserve that health—including withdrawal—is not weakness or selfishness, but self-preservation in its most basic and necessary form.