Amy Schumer Reveals She's an Introvert: 'I Have to Be Alone' Sometimes

On television, Amy Schumer jokes that she's "overexposed". In reality, though, the actress and comedian says she's "a classic textbook introvert" who values alone time.

In Schumer's new book, The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo – which is excerpted exclusively in this week's issue of PEOPLE – the actress describes how she fuses her very public life with an inherent need to be out of the spotlight.

"It might be surprising for you to learn that most of my days are spent alone, unless I am on set, which is crazy draining for an introvert," Schumer writes, describing other people as "energy vampires" when she needs some solo seclusion.

The Trainwreck star explains that being an introvert doesn't mean she's shy, and dispels the idea that female performers enjoy "being 'on' all the time." She says the difference is that while she is able to reveal her most private feelings to thousands of people while performing stand-up, she often finds herself overwhelmed at parties and stands in a corner "hoping no one will come talk to me."

For more from Schumer, pick up the new issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday

Public gatherings are a particularly sore spot for Schumer, 35, who tells PEOPLE that she's learned to turn down things that will make her uncomfortable.

"I think realizing that about myself and not fighting it, but instead just taking care of myself and letting myself recharge and having time on my own and also planning for that has made me better and able to do more," she says. "I can be there and super present and giving and then if it's, 'So, now we're going here.' And I'm like, immediately, 'I KNOW I can't do that.' It's not because I'm famous, it's because I have to be alone and be quiet."

She adds, "It's cool when you realize you can say no."

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Schumer also says in her book that she's come to sometimes prefer social media to human interaction, a platform she describes as "quick and painless."

She concludes, "I want to remind you to stop judging a loud, often tactless, volatile blond book by its cover. Believe it or not, I do have a complex inner life just like you, and I enjoy being alone. So if you're an introvert, don't be afraid to excuse yourself."