[Koolz09]

I've been homeschooled since 2008. I've rarely hanged with friends since then(once in a while I do) but the majority of the time, I'm alone. Is this damaging to a person?

[Skeezyks]

Hello Koolz09: Well... I don't know if it's damaging. But certainly being alone most of the time does not help a person to develop important social skills. So especially, since it sounds as though you are still quite young, I would think it would be important for you to find some ways of getting out & spending time with others your age.

I see this is your first post here on PC. So... welcome to PsychCentral… from the Skeezyks! I hope you find the time you spend here to be of benefit.

PsychCentral is a great place to get information as well as support for mental health issues. There are many knowledgeable & caring members here. The more you post, & reply to other members’ posts, the more a part of the community you will become. Plus there are social groups you can join & chat rooms where you’ll be able to connect with other PC members in real time (once your first 5 posts have been reviewed & approved.) Lots of great stuff! So please keep posting!

[Cyllya]

Introversion is normal and not damaging.

If you're socially isolated, that's bad. Depending on the cause of social isolation, that might be more the result of damage than the cause.

[TishaBuv]

Socializing with others is important. If your parents isolated you, I think you should start reaching out and help yourself learn to become part of society. Do you go to church? A place like that is a good, safe place to start meeting nice people. Maybe joining a group that you share an interest.

Isolation can lead to various mental and physical health conditions....but as long as you have family you're not totally isolated.

[seesaw]

Are you around any people or are you alone all the time. A lot of people like to spend a lot of time alone. I'm one of those people. But then I know that I need a certain amount of social time each week. I'm not a social butterfly, but I do need to be around people from time to time.

See if you can join a sports team or recreational group, maybe a book club, so you can get some social interaction from week to week.

It's not necessarily damaging, but it can be unhealthy depending on your situation.

seesaw

[Crazy Hitch]

Why are you being homeschooled?

[Koolz09]

Originally Posted by Cyllya

Introversion is normal and not damaging.

If you're socially isolated, that's bad. Depending on the cause of social isolation, that might be more the result of damage than the cause.

Yeah I never really get to go out, and hang with people.

[Koolz09]

Originally Posted by Skeezyks

Hello Koolz09: Well... I don't know if it's damaging. But certainly being alone most of the time does not help a person to develop important social skills. So especially, since it sounds as though you are still quite young, I would think it would be important for you to find some ways of getting out & spending time with others your age.

I see this is your first post here on PC. So... welcome to PsychCentral… from the Skeezyks! I hope you find the time you spend here to be of benefit.

PsychCentral is a great place to get information as well as support for mental health issues. There are many knowledgeable & caring members here. The more you post, & reply to other members’ posts, the more a part of the community you will become. Plus there are social groups you can join & chat rooms where you’ll be able to connect with other PC members in real time (once your first 5 posts have been reviewed & approved.) Lots of great stuff! So please keep posting!

Thanks I think I'll like it on this site

[Koolz09]

Originally Posted by TishaBuv

Socializing with others is important. If your parents isolated you, I think you should start reaching out and help yourself learn to become part of society. Do you go to church? A place like that is a good, safe place to start meeting nice people. Maybe joining a group that you share an interest.

I have no way of joining anything, because they won't let me every time I ask(even tried a few times) but they stopped allowing me
to go. I don't go to a church

[Koolz09]

Originally Posted by seesaw

Are you around any people or are you alone all the time. A lot of people like to spend a lot of time alone. I'm one of those people. But then I know that I need a certain amount of social time each week. I'm not a social butterfly, but I do need to be around people from time to time.

See if you can join a sports team or recreational group, maybe a book club, so you can get some social interaction from week to week.

It's not necessarily damaging, but it can be unhealthy depending on your situation.

seesaw

I'm alone all of the time. My parents don't let me join anything(I've tried asking a few times).

[Koolz09]

Originally Posted by Crazy Hitch

Why are you being homeschooled?

I don't remember the exact reason, because it has been a while.

It depends on what you want. I'm completely isolated most of the time and I don't have friends in real life but that's by choice. If you're unhappy being isolated or you feel like you're missing out on something , it isn't a good thing.

[fairydustgirl]

my niece homeschools her children but they are involved in tons of activities from soccer to dance and lots of play groups. they are very young still, under 8 years old, but I'm pretty certain they will continue activities similarly as they grow older. they are all very involved in their church as well.
is there a reason your parents choose to not involve you in any sports or other activities?

my other sister in law homeschooled her daughter and kept her rather isolated for a number of years but as she became an adolescent the daughter got involved in environmental issues and activities and is now in college...we did fear for her well being for a long time though because honestly...she was and still is kind of an odd kid. she's turned out pretty cool though.

homeschooling in and of itself is not always a problem, it's how it's conducted by the parents involved. I've known quite a few whose children have grown up to be nurses and sailors and social workers, smart wonderful kids. but i know of one other girl whose mother homeschooled her and she has been isolated and oversheltered. she's 22 now and has no driver's license and has absolutely no filter when she is with people.

Do you have any relatives you could talk to about how your parents aren't allowing you to socialize with other people? I imagine they might be trying to keep you safe and keeping you from 'bad' influences. perhaps a relative or family friend could help you out?

[fairydustgirl]

Originally Posted by Anna72914

It depends on what you want. I'm completely isolated most of the time and I don't have friends in real life but that's by choice. If you're unhappy being isolated or you feel like you're missing out on something , it isn't a good thing.

Just wanted to say I absolutely adore your tagline...My Chem will always be a huge part of my life! mcrmy for life

[s4ndm4n2006]

Isolation in the extreme can be unhealthy, this is a fact but it all depends on what you are calling isolation. Also depends on the needs of the person in question too. For some people their threshold for this is far lower than for others. For example cutting off someone that has tendencies to need a lot of interaction can be a very bad thing but someone that is accustomed to being alone or actually enjoys alone time, it would not be such a huge factor.

I think the question to ask yourself is what is it that you need? Are you feeling you are missing something by way of social interaction or is this just an assumption that being alone is a bad thing in general? I am going to assume that you're not locked in a room with no windows or anything and have a level of freedom to get out. Tell me whether I'm wrong on this, but even if they bar you from joining groups or what not, it does not mean that you can't go out and find people to meet, make friends and such. Granted it's not necessarily as simple as I say. For someone like me, just finding those places is hard but the truth is, I do have the freedom to at least get out and do so.

Get out of the house, go places, walk etc.. (unless you're in very rural area then there's a problem)

[Koolz09]

Originally Posted by s4ndm4n2006

Isolation in the extreme can be unhealthy, this is a fact but it all depends on what you are calling isolation. Also depends on the needs of the person in question too. For some people their threshold for this is far lower than for others. For example cutting off someone that has tendencies to need a lot of interaction can be a very bad thing but someone that is accustomed to being alone or actually enjoys alone time, it would not be such a huge factor.

I think the question to ask yourself is what is it that you need? Are you feeling you are missing something by way of social interaction or is this just an assumption that being alone is a bad thing in general? I am going to assume that you're not locked in a room with no windows or anything and have a level of freedom to get out. Tell me whether I'm wrong on this, but even if they bar you from joining groups or what not, it does not mean that you can't go out and find people to meet, make friends and such. Granted it's not necessarily as simple as I say. For someone like me, just finding those places is hard but the truth is, I do have the freedom to at least get out and do so.

Get out of the house, go places, walk etc.. (unless you're in very rural area then there's a problem)

I'm feelin that I miss out at hanging out with people and going places. It kinda does prevent me from being with others, I live in the south and don't have many options of going out to places. There is no public transportation near me for me to go.

[Talthybius]

You are right to be worried.

Good luck.

How old are you if you don't mind me asking?

[Koolz09]

Originally Posted by ElsaMars

How old are you if you don't mind me asking?

It's ok. And 16

That is a tough age. You are expected to begin learning real life lessons and many of the lessons we need to learn are social. At the same time it's a crazy world and peer pressure is insane at that age. By age 16, we usually rely more on our peers than parents and get our values and information from these peers. This can be both good and bad depending on the peers we have in our life. You sound a bit like a hostage if I'm being honest. You deserve more freedom to explore.

[MickeyCheeky]

I'm really sorry... I'm 18, so I can relate... Wish you the best of luck..

[mugwort2]

Hi Koolz09. How do you feel joining a social network? I'm not saying this is the only or necessarily the best solution. Wonder why your mom won't let you join any clubs. She sounds super controlling, over protective. Is there a relative who can talk some sense in to your mom? Sure hoping so.

[Gaj1983]

Hello Koolz09

I was in a somewhat similar situation to you when I was your age.

I think the most important thing for you will be to focus on your school work, so that you can get a scholarship to college, and get away from home when you graduate High School.

I grew up in a very abusive home, and left as soon as I graduated High School.

The important thing for you is to focus on your studies, so that you will have somewhere to go to college. Once you get there, you will have to learn how to adjust to other people, and the "outside world". There will be people, especially counselors at the college who will be able to help you with that.

Be strong. This time in your life will not last forever.

[Gaj1983]

I do realize that you are home schooled, so I mean finishing your home studies when I say graduating.

Do some research online to see where you can take SAT's or whatever tests you need to take in order to be eligible for college.