Toejam, yes, I can relate to that, I am quite secluded these days and dread interacting with the general public. I guess it's all part of the same thing. I can and do laugh at myself, but I can beat myself up pretty good too!

For the others who replied, I had parents that drank a lot as well and verbally it was very trying, sometimes physically as well. Not the first time I've heard of this cause/effect element in relation to the people pleasing, I think it has to do with the lack of attention kids get in these types of families, because the parents are so "busy" all the time. Then they grow up looking too desperately for the attention and validation they never got as kids. I sure wish I could cap that off though. It seems no matter what I say to myself about how I have just as much right to a happy life as anyone else on the planet, I still feel like this way too often.

I always tell myself I don't care about what people think but I'm just kidding myself, we all care to a degree.

Thanks for all the replies!