Does being an only child makes the phobia more probable?

[Marvolo]

Hi,

I've recently read a book "Only child" by Emerson & Pitkeathley and I've found that some mentioned there features of the social phobics can be strictly related to the only-child-features (great shyness, unability of joining the group, some kind of fear of being judged by others etc.)... It's a great surprise for me, because I've never thought about it in this way.

Of course, I don't suggest that being the only child causes social phobia, although I've noticed some marked correlation between them. It's possible that the only children are more "phobia-prone", if it can be so said, than other. But maybe I'm not right in entire.

I'm curious what do You think about this case.

 

[Marvolo]

Aha, I'm just the only child, if you want to know... :wink:

 

[appletree]

personally i believe being an only child certainly doesn't help a childs ability in forming social relationships at a young age.
i am an only child, and while i had a fairly good childhood (spent mostly at friends houses to be honest) i would personally never have just one child.
if i were to have children in the future i would try and have more than one because i think it is unfair in a way.
just my opinion.
hope you are well-mark.
x

 

[Masamune]

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

[Marvolo]

I see... Well, it may be also hard, I try to imagine that.
I've been always a bit stay-at-home child too, and it was difficult for me to make some nearer relations with peers...

 

[Kinetik]

When I was younger and lived at home I always had my older brother and sister around and that was a great setup, I felt confident and often latched on to them with regards to doing the daily things in life or just talking and hanging out. They were both seen as pretty cool in general and had big social circles. Then when they moved out (at the same time) I really took a turn for the worse. I became a real introvert and didn't go out much, and I also felt far less secure at school. Now they're out there holding their own and I feel really left behind despite having moved out and being self-employed (I'm not terribly successful with that but I'm surviving). I was always seen as "sensible" in their eyes, but the thing is, they've lived a lot more than I have and are now able to function properly whereas I really am not. They've made memories, got friends and jobs, stuff I feel like I'll never have. So for me it would seem that having siblings did help somewhat, but like I say, growing up and moving on has made adjusting to the real world even harder.

 

[Marvolo]

(...)but the thing is, they've lived a lot more than I have and are now able to function properly whereas I really am not. They've made memories, got friends and jobs, stuff I feel like I'll never have. (...)

Don't give up the hope! The things can turn good, maybe your phobia'll lessen enough to make your normal life possible... I still believe that it can be so also in my case...

 

[cloudy]

I'm an only child and I believe that has contributed to my social anxiety. I think growing up with siblings around my age would have helped me confidence-wise. I've always wanted another sibling, but my parents separated when I was 2 so I guess it can't be helped. Although on the other hand, it would depend how close you are to your siblings, and how critical they are of you. Ideally I would have liked siblings who I got alongs with and from whom I could gain support and empathy- I think that would have made a significant difference.

 

[rado31]

i know some only childs that hasnt got a clue of SP. So maybe it is involved something else (wrong brain chemistry or something like that).

 

[Katjelique]

I have a younger sister and we both have SA, we both realize it was due to the environment we lived in and the social skills that we did not develop due to it. We are like best friends though we can't connect to well (or play well) with others.

 

[Marvolo]

Oh - so you both can at least understand each other fully; but it'd be still hard though, I think...
Cheers