I worked in an office with about 8 other PhD students, was in a research group with another 10, and was friendly with another 10-15. Social skills weren't lack

I worked in an office with about 8 other PhD students, was in a research group with another 10, and was friendly with another 10-15. Social skills weren't lacking that much (don't get me wrong, we were a bunch of weirdos by some standards), but mental health certainly was. There is a lot of pressure on PhD students and anxiety and/or depression affected all but a handful. Most people go into the programme wanting to be academics afterwards, so you look up to the academics that are there, listen to what they have to say. At the same time a whole lot of your ego is tied up into the success or failure of your work. If somebody shits on your work, that can break you. I had therapy while in my final year, and so did a bunch of my peers, it's a meat grinder.