Loneliness

[mvillarreal]

Hi, everyone. Lately, I've found myself feeling a bit lonely-which is weird because I have friends and a lot of people who care about me, but it's like I still crave some kind of further emotional warmth (when I go to bed, I literally find myself wishing I could snuggle with someone). I also think it might be because of my current struggles with depression and OCD. The struggle feels very lonely, and I sometimes feel like I don't have a lot of people to help. Any ideas on how to deal with these feelings?

[nicetry]

I’m sorry you’re struggling. So many of us deal with loneliness & that sense of being alone. Is there anyone — friend, sibling, etc — you could call, email or text? If you’re not sure about someone, whether they’d be supportive, I’ve found that 9 times out of 10 they are. Are you receiving medical help? And of course we are always here!

[mvillarreal in reply to nicetry]

I could text my parents (I'm an only child). I just don't know how I'd go about texting them just to alleviate loneliness. "Wussup mom!" probably isn't gonna slide (although she probably wouldn't put it past me. LOL)

[Whale-water in reply to mvillarreal]

Sharing on here when lonely might help

[nicetry in reply to mvillarreal]

I'm sorry I meant to check in on you, then I was sidetracked by issues of my own. How are you doing?

[mvillarreal in reply to nicetry]

Much better, thank you! I'm home now and feel a lot less lonely with my family and animal companions! I don't know why I get lonely feelings sometimes. I think maybe it's because I feel alone in struggling with past traumas and difficulties. It's hard to open up to people about.

[Kainan]

Hey. I get how you're feeling. Lately, I've been feeling some very intense feelings of loneliness. I feel like the depression and anxiety are about to creep back in, but I won't allow it. This morning I was struggling a lot, and what I chose to do was to write down all of my thoughts on the computer. Being as detailed as I could and let it just flow out. I feel a little better; at least it gets them out of your head and gives you a chance to move on with the day. Going outside is always a good idea, which is what I'm going to do later today. Hope this helps a little. I'm here if you need to chat

[MrZee]

I feel that too at night when I go to bed. I’ll admit I’m grateful for my kitties when they jump up and snuggle with me.

If by chance you’re a pet person they do make wonderful unconditionally loving companions.

[mvillarreal in reply to MrZee]

Yeah. The problem is, I live in an apartment that doesn't allow animals. While I would qualify for a therapy animal, the behavioral health center is stupid and won't provide me with one because of "liability issues," which is a bunch of BS. By the way, it's North Range Behavioral Health in Greeley, Colorado. If anyone from Colorado sees this, boycott them! They're terrible in so many ways!

[mvillarreal in reply to mvillarreal]

On the positive side, though, I do have a very fluffy, loving cat at my home in Colorado (my apartment is in St. Louis, Missouri), who has the warmest energy I've ever felt from a cat. He's almost like a healing angel of sorts!

[SoniaGorgeous]

I feel you, i can relate!

I sometimes feel very lonely even when surrounded by family or friends, for me it’s because i feel that no-one needs me they are all complete, like everyone is living their life and I’m alone stuck with my anxiety feeling helpless.

But you’re not alone hun, we’re all here for each other.

[Amy615 in reply to SoniaGorgeous]

Yes very true...i can relate too....

[LadyZen]

My first question is always, is it bad to the point you might need to seek out a therapist. I find that is always a good starting point.

[mvillarreal in reply to LadyZen]

I'm seeing a counselor right now. I think the root of the issue is probably severe existential and harm OCD, which we're working through right now. I just feel really alone in my struggle, and I honestly think my therapist can only help me so much because my existential OCD is about really deep questions, and my harm OCD is so bad, I can't even forgive myself for things I fear I might do in the future-which sounds crazy, but it's true! I feel guilt about things I haven't even done. I think it might be feeling alone in the struggle that's triggering it. My mental health hasn't been good since I started graduate school.

[LadyZen in reply to mvillarreal]

I'm sorry for everything you're going through. I'm glad you have a therapist. Hang in there. It took me a very long time to get to where I am today.

[Whale-water]

Remember EVERYONE goes thru issues/struggles and u are not the only one. It helps to remember you are part of humanity which is never free from struggles

[mvillarreal]

Well, this aged nicely...