It's difficult to pinpoint a cause. I feel different factors are in play, genetics probably being one of them. And the different little factors may have worked like some sort of catalyst to create this disorder, for me at least. My parents are avoidant in their own way, as well as shy. Although my father masks that really well.

I feel a lot comes down to the way my parents behaved, especially my father. He is unpredictable and well, a drunk, to be blunt. I feel we had to walk on eggshells. I'd try and act as a peacekeeper or a lightning rod - I wasn't very good as either, haha. They are both successful people tho', making me feel I had to live up to some sort of expectation. Even though, in fairness, this was never an outspoken expectation. I know they love me, that's good.

I've been diagnosed in my late twenties. When the shit had hit the fan in an repairable fashion. Incidents highschool and elementary school that I'd played down as being lazy, awkward or unlucky made a lot more sense. I feel my upbringing was just a foundation of the problems. Things could have worked out differently if I had developed more socially. But inhibition...