Just thoughts...

[brokenlight]

Do you ever get tired of others reassuring you that “you are not alone” when everything & everyone surrounding you plus the screaming voice inside of you is exhibiting/saying the exact opposite?

Is telling someone “you are not alone” actually true?

If you do not know their circumstances, their experiences, their beliefs, their limitations, their loss, their devastation, their isolation, their hatred... how can you be sure?

Is telling someone “you are not alone” just something nice to say? Like a salutation?

Is telling someone “you are not alone” just a hopeful thing to say?

Is telling someone “you are not alone” something you say because you can relate to them on some level through their words?

I’m just interested in what it means to say that to someone whose reality is that they are alone?

Do you believe it when you say it to others?

Do you believe it when others say it to you?

[Sunnidayz1]

Being on this page & saying " you are not alone" means that you are not the only one on this planet that feels the way you do. We all need validation and understanding to feel like we belong, it's human nature.

Having anxiety or depression or having any mental illness can be isolating. Many people dont have support from friends n family bc they just dont understand it. It makes them feel that they are alone, but in reality millions suffer the same.

[Dolphin14]

Brokenlight

My feeling is when people say it they are saying you are not alone in your struggle with depression anxiety or whatever your diagnosis it

I don't think they mean your specific set of circumstances.

I find it sincere. I think the symptoms we suffer can be similar and that's what I personally find comforting is that someone knows what it's like to cry a lot, not be able to get out of bed, feel isolated, spin thoughts in my head not sleep. Struggles with meds etc etc.. no one knows the story of how I got here but we carry the same diagnosis that we can relate to

[Jvicks]

I get where you are coming from. Anyone that lacks support is really alone.

[Magicdreamer]

Through my experience, before I Joined this group, I felt completely alone as though I was the only person actually taking time to heal and acknowledge what others weren't. So when I joined this group I felt relieved to know that I'm not the only person who feels alone. There are billions out there. Lonliness is a world wide epidemic so don't let the masks of others fool you.... Also, when I'm with people I still feel alone.... I don't feel that connection and I automatically go into the mode of well, it must be me... I'm the bad one and fall into self-deprecation and isolate myself even more as I compare my lowest to someone else's highest.... That's what my brains been trained to do. The truth is, even when people don't show it, most people feel it and don't necessarily understand it. I've been depressed for many years and because I was so busy, I didn't even realise it as I was completely running away from myself with chores and all other demanding tasks and when everything was pulled away from me then I started to realise and acknowledge my true feelings of emptiness. The truth is we don't know what's going on behind other people's masks and the only concern we need to focus on is how we feel. It gave me peace of mind knowing I wasnt alone feeling alone.... Xx

[Cyam]

I think some people find comfort in knowing that they’re not the only person in the world that experiences the feelings they’re struggling with. But this is something entirely different than actually being alone. As somebody without a support system or safe haven, I find it frustrating when others use the “you’re not alone” phrase, because they don’t really comprehend my circumstances. It’s a difficult thing for people to understand or appreciate if they’ve never experienced it before.

[brokenlight]

Thank you so much for your replies

I appreciate them all a lot ✨