Anti-social behavior

Can you be normal and just be a shy and naturally introverted person who prefers to be by themselves most of the time? Or do these types of people usually have mental disorders that causes them to be shy and introverted and with the proper treatment can be more extroverted? What is the line between being shy and being dysfunctional?

or I'm looney.

I've always been happy to be by my self. Yes I like people in moderation but I like my alone time best.

Although the right person, or people in relatively low numbers, is equally good.

when people who were normally extroverted all of the sudden become isolated. If you were always rather introverted and not prone to much interaction it's not a problem. Unless you think its a problem, then it most likely is.

What is abnormal is a shy person who teaches himself to be extroverted in order to fit in with the rest of society. Whatever the cause of his shyness, it becomes sublimated in the interest of seeming to be one of the guys.

Sometimes that can produce a psychotic personality down the road.

So what is society better off with? A shy person who lives on his own or an extrovert that one day climbs up into a tall tower with a high powered rifle in order to REALLY get everyone's attention?

People should be what they are.

The line is between "won't" and "can't".

If you've ever done a Myers-Briggs personality test, one of the polarities is Introverted vs. Extroverted. Introversion is normal. It is possible for introverted people to have their extrovert moments.

Where the trouble begins is with people who suffer from a form of autism called Asperger's Syndrome. The brain hardware associated with socialization is under functioning. The tendencies show up in childhood but often aren't diagnosed until many years later.

For example, I "flunked" kindergarten because I wouldn't socialize with other children and spent all recess/non-class time playing with the same toy, over and over and over. I was seriously late in talking. I never did the goo-goo thing and jumped straight to sentences. My first words - "Mommy, I love you".

and if the way you conduct your affairs doesn't lead to difficulties in your job, your relationships (such as they are), your health, your finances or the community, - then I'd say you probably won't be needing therapy or drugs to alter your behaviour.

Normal is an artificial construct. If you're happy enough, you're normal enough.

I'm not a doctor of psychiatric medicine, and I don't play one on TV.

is a continuum, not an either/or thing. All are perfectly normal, but our society tends toward extroversion so it makes introverted people think something is wrong with them. There isn't.

I used to think something was wrong with me because I couldn't stand to be around people all the time, especially really extroverted, loud, social people. I enjoy the company of others, just a selective few and those who are like-minded. I also LOVE the time I spend alone. I crave it, it's restorative to me.

So unless you are thinking you might want to be the next Unabomber, you are perfectly fine the way you are. :)