Mindy Kaling finds going to parties "stressful" because of her "social anxiety".

Mindy Kaling

Mindy Kaling

The 39-year-old actress and comedian confessed that despite being "so open to one-on-one conversations" she gets nervous going to large events where she doesn't know everyone and has always preferred having "four friends" to a large social circle.

In an interview with Glamour, she said: "People may be surprised to hear this, but I think I do have a little social anxiety. Going to parties where I don't know most of the people is stressful to me. I've always had four friends.

"That's not really something people know about me. Because I am so open to one-on-one conversations like this one."

'The Office' star went on to explain that she's "always" felt apprehensive about attending the Met Gala as guests don't automatically get a plus-one, however feels more at ease because event is held in The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

She said: "I love the Met Gala, but the no-plus-one thing has always been a real stressor for me. Luckily Anna Wintour made it so that you're going to a literal museum, where there's so much to take in.

"If we weren't going to a museum and just to an event space, I would need to take a Valium or something before I go because it's so stressful to me."

The 'Late Night actress - who has an 18-month-old daughter Katherine - also spoke about how she deals with balancing her public persona on social media while maintaining privacy in some aspects of life.

She said: "I'm on social media and like sharing with people what my interests are and how my day's going and all of that, but I do feel entitled to have privacy about my daughter and my relationships."