Otaku and Self

So, I started a discussion in a fb support group I belong to, and it made me think of something. This group is for people with Avoidant Personality Disorder, and within the discussion I asked about havens and environments. This made me think about how much of an influence things like anime, manga, games, kits, cosplayers, Japanese culture, etc. have had on me. They allow me a certain amount of safety and relaxation that I don't possess elsewhere in my life. Conversely, I've kinda discovered that my "otaku tendencies" have produced some unexpected stigmas. There are a lot of issues that have cropped up from strangers, pseudo-friends, and, in general, perception. So I wonder. Do you consider yourself an otaku, in the truest sense (American version or otherwise)? Does being an otaku bring stigmas with it, whether you're in America, Europe, Canada, Japan, etc? Do you feel like there is an otaku community, where you can feel safe to be yourself? Or is there strength in knowing yourself, are you confident and comfortable? Just things I started pondering. I wonder what ya'll think.

Otaku to me is watching anime and manga, buying anime goods, playing video games, staying indoors. Its feel comferable because there is indeed a community where you talk about hentai, anime, lolis, all sorts of stuff. as for the stigma, otaku in american isnt as wide spread as in japan So I dont think it has any sigma yet

As someone who deals with APD I completely understand the safety and relaxation that I get from anime , manga, and games. They are escapes for me, and I do run to them at times of avoiding socializing (just as many people escape to their phones to avoid socializing). As for stigmas, I'm used to it and in most cases I count it a blessing because only small minded people place stigmas, so it make it easier to focus on socializing with people with a broader mindset. This has let me form a group of friends and family that define a person by their values even though I didn't have any friends that shared my Otaku side until recently.