If somone prefers to be alone, do they have a disorder or is it just a matter of personal preference?

Question

I hate being around people. I am quite content being alone. Some people have been telling me that it is unnatural to be this way. I have always believed it to be a matter of personal preference. Is it true what people have been saying that I do in fact have a disorder/problem because I don't like to be around other people? Social Anxiety Disorder seems to come up frequently.

Answer 1

I suspect it would depend on whether you isolate yourself all the time, or if you successfully interact with others sometimes on a regular basis.

I agree that if you deliberately isolate yourself whenever it's humanly possible, there's probably an issue you can't see because you're simply too close to it. But if your ideal day involves spending time alone doing whatever pleases you, without somebody else, that's perfectly normal.

The ability to make and maintain friendships and to deal with acquaintances at both personal and professional levels is one indicator of adequate social adjustment. If you can and do have such relationships, the preference for being alone is just that, a preference.

I like my own company, too, even though I've already heard all my jokes.

Answer 2

As long as you still have contact with people and aren't all freaked out when in a social situation I think it's okay. A lot of people like a lot of alone time but I don't think eveyone has a disorder. Do you prefer to be alone pretty much all the time and prefer to have contact with people via the computer and nothing else? That could be a problem.

Answer 3

It sounds like you have something going on. Whether it's a full blown disorder or something else is hard to say. The thing is that this stuff tends to get worse as we age. The longer you are isolated, the more reinforced it is and the harder it becomes to go out in the world. Panic, anxiety, and other stuff can kick in or become much worse. If it is all about preference, the question is why would you have that preference. Being a recluse isn't typical. See a therapist for an evaluation. That's the best way to figure out whether there's something significant going on that you are better off addressing now or just a life choice that you chose to leave alone.

Answer 4

First of all you can't completely hate people or you wouldn't be on the blogs.
I personally believe it is a matter of preference. I am a recovered agoraphobic and that is hell. You could always get evaluated by a psychologist if you really want to know.
Truthfully I say to each his own.

Answer 5

It could just be part of their personality. If a person is introverted, then he/she prefers time alone rather than being with people.

Isolation is only a disorder if it causes a person distress or leads to functional impairment.

Answer 6

How much time do you spend alone? If it is a short amount, no problem if you prefer to be alone.

How do you feel when you are around people? If you can stand company there is no problem.

If you spend alone too much time or if you are too afraid of social situations, always feeling uncomfortable and wanting to go, something issomething is wrong.

Answer 7

It depends, I have always been a loner and prefer it that way. If it gets to the point where you are unable to go out in public because you are to anxious it is a problem. If you just enjoy being alone but are happy it is ok.

Answer 8

If you're like me, then you wouldn't really care if you were in a crowd of people or not, so long as you didn't have to say anything. I like getting my piece in every once in a while. And I laugh with people and show myself friendly. But I do like time by myself more often than not.

Ya. It's a disorder. ;)

Answer 9

some people are more comfortable alone. there are introverts and extroverts.
since you "hate" (hate is such a strong word) being around people, i suggest you look at the reasons why. a little self -reflection may help you to answer your own question

Answer 10

You could have a schizoid (nothing to do with schizophrenia) type personality. It's not a disorder, just a personality type.

Do some googling.