I'm new to this site. So i don't know how this works. So here goes...
I have been diagnosed with depression, bipolar, & anxiety. I have been hospitalized numerous times & have tried to commit suicide a couple of times. I currently only see 2 people on a daily basis & talk to maybe 10 people ever in my life these days and I'm feeling really isolated & lonely. I literally have no friends & my family have their own lives. It's just my boyfriend (husband), who works a lot, my step son, & my dog. I never in my life thought I'd be where i am. I used to be so outgoing & independent. I was the driver in every situation, and now i don't drive anywhere. I was always the loud, single, crazy girl and now I'm quiet, shy, & scared. I've lost my identity in the last 5-6 years after losing all my friends because of drugs & growing apart. Some were 30 year friendships. I think I'm still in mourning over those lost relationships. I've been left with nothing but my boyfriend who's only known me 7 years & doesn't understand mental illness when i used to have so many that knew who i was & understood why, what, who of what i was doing or who i was. I can't figure out who i am anymore. I'm lost. I'm trying to make connections & find positive support. Any advice on how i can find new connections & friendships would be welcomed. I feel like no one would care if i wasn't here. There's only 2 people that would even notice really & they would get over it & go on without me. My dog would miss me more.
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dolphinluvr1977
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Hi and welcome! You're doing it exactly right by posting whatever is on your mind (you said you don’t know how it works). We are here to support each other! One thing you'll want to know about posting: after you create the body of your post, under it you will see 2 radio buttons -- "everyone" and "community members only". You'll want to choose the latter so that only this community sees your post (as opposed to everyone on the internet).
Being lost and mourning who you were is so very hard, so I'm sorry you feel this way.
Sometimes I also feel that no one would care if I just disappeared. Our thoughts can trick us into believing lies, which believing no one cares is one of.
Hi there. There are alot of supportive people on this site. I’ve only posted a few times, yet received overwhelming support and helpful suggestions. I’ve recently, after three years, reunited with a passion of mine, which is teaching. Until I started this again this January, I was paralyzed by depression and anxiety. Now I’ve thrown myself into it completely. Is there something from your past or even present you have done or have always wanted to do? I understand being lonely. I live in a rural area. My one close friend moved across the country. I have my kids, yet they are kids. If it is something you’ve always wanted to do, maybe you could pursue it now. You never know what direction it may take you and who you might meet.
That's one of my problems. I go full force into hobbies & then I fall off with them. I have several things I was enjoying for awhile, but if i don't have a friend or anything motivating me, it falls by the wayside. 🤪☹️ Someone suggested online courses, but i can't seem to find any that catch my eye. I'm working on it though. Thank you for the advice.😊
You've made a great decision to join us. Welcome. You'll find friends and support here. I have bipolar 1, controlled with meds and several anxiety disorders. It's particularly tough right now for everyone since COVID. Especially when your through mental health issues. You can certainly get back to how you once were. I think you're dealing with an awful lot of trauma. Mental illness itself is a traumatic event. It isn't easy when those around you can't understand. We can't blame them for that, but if they are willing to be supportive acceptance can be enough. People here will understand you. Are you in the US by chance. Here we have NAMI, which should be in every state. You can join a support group, probably via Zoom right now bc of covid. Anyway, welcome dolphinluvr!
I will be a new connection for friends. Read my profile and see I’m going through bad days like you are. Here are some things that help me. 7-8 hours of sleep each night. I don’t need to tell you how important proper sleep is. Before I get out of bed, I do the Wim Hof guided breathing exercises free on you tube. Needs to be done on empty stomach or before meals if you need another round. It’s aggressive breathing, but not too bad or I would not do it. It’s kind of like running a lap around the track and then holding your breath when you are done. Then repeat 2 times more. And do another round after you get in shape. It’s the breathing benifit of excercise without leaving the bed or couch. It’s very good for you mentally and physically. It’s a form of meditation as you progress. They have a slow 5 round version that puts me to sleep during the breath hold if you can imagine! Then get 40 minutes of cardio exercise daily to produce endorphins. After your shower rinse in cool water, with the goal in 3 months to be a full cold shower warrior. The breathing and cold water releases chemicals in the brain and body to balance us. Take your medicine per your dr… and know I care if you live .., I have been with my wife 44 years married 42.. and she is having a hard time understanding what caused this radical change in her man. I have health anxiety and anxiety bad. From a battle with cancer I am in remission 2 years. And she can’t understand why I’m not running around jumping for joy daily. I believe I have ptsd from my experience. I need you to be strong and know there will be good days and bad days.
Wow! You are so much stronger then i can imagine myself being. I've tried breathing & meditating, but can't seem to make the habit stick. I kind of start things and don't continue them as a habit. I think I'll try again to start that again. Thank you!
I have tried many breathing exercises and meditation. This is the only one that works for me. I guess harsh symptoms take harsh exercises . I do the breathing exercises for 30 minutes. A 10 minute warm up with the 3 round beginner guided breathing exercises. Then a 5 minute same thing. Then I know you don’t believe this but it’s true. Then I go in my 45 degree swimming pool for 2 songs on my phone. Then I walk the dog then go to the gym to swim laps and sauna. When I’m done with the breathing exercises, eat breakfast, and hit the cold water. The cold water acts like natures antidepressant and anxiety medicine in one . I didn’t start at 45 degrees. I started at 70 and worked my way down. There are millions of us doing this. You tube Wim Hof guided breathing exercises free. Then cold shower therapy for mental health. When you are sick and tired of being sick and tired, you try new things. It’s just breathing and cold water.. lol and 40 minutes of daily cardio exercise even a brisk walk. When I get out of the cold water, I’m almost my old self again. Thanks
I meant to say 5 round not 5 minute. The beauty of the breathing exercises and cold water, is you can go at your own pace. On the breath hold. If you can only do 1 minute and you are shooting for 1-30.. you sneak a tiny breath until you can build up to 1:30.. I have tried so many breathing exercises and mindfulness and stuff.. this was the only thing that worked good for me. Of course I’m not going to do it in the dentist chair I will do normal deep breathing exercises to calm ., and you will love Wim Hof, that’s the man’s name who developed it over 45 years. He had a tragic event and he was doing this before. But after that happened he was doing the breathing exercises and cold water daily and a bit more intense. He had p t s d and it helped him greatly. He’s also called the ice man because he set records and is kind of famous. I would not have you do something you could not do. Please give the 3 things a 2 week try and if you feel better pass it on!
I wanted to let you know that I have googled Wim Hof and I am interested in trying new things, but this seems very intense. I have gone to Anthony Robbins seminars and walked across hot coals and believe I can do anything i put my mind to, but I am not sure my mind is in a place that is ready Wim Hof. It totally makes sense and the benefits are so grand it seems like a no brainer, but I need to do more research and contemplating on this one. My will power is not very strong. Thank you for bringing this therapy to my attention. I am considering trying it with an open heart and open mind.
You can start with the 3 round beginner guided breathing exercises free on you tube. You can take cool showers. Slowly lowering the temperature. This is all tayllored to your own limitations. It has been great for me!
I currently take cold and hot showers alternating throughout my shower so might not be that hard to try just a cold one. I like the refreshing feeling most days. I'll let you know if I give it a go.
Welcome my friend. This site is wonderful,many nice,caring people all ages and walks of life. Maybe join a support group, you will meet people and also get some guidance. Taking up a hobby is always fun and social. You can do this with good and bad days,you can beat this.God bless you. Keep in touch.
Hi, I hope you are doing great. Well, you did the right thing about writing your thoughts. Yes, ita a bit difficult to find a good person to talk with. But I am sure you will find some for you too, We are all here to help you. As emotional support is much needed to deal with mental health issues that's why people here share their thoughts with each other to help others and themselves. You can post on different groups and allow your post to show in all communities.
Hi! I thinking joining this site is a good thing. Also, people do have different ways of showing they care. I am going through similar with my fiance. Great guy, but, emotionally distant. I am trying to keep my head up and come up with a plan. Night time is really hard for me right now. But, i'll try my best to hang in there. At least you do have a dog! Lol! Maybe keep searching sites like this to create a network for yourself and track your very valid feelings. "See" you around!
They're going. I'm doing ok these days. My grandpa passed a year ago yesterday so I've been outta it and down for about a week. Just getting back together today. I actually decided to clean my fish tank which i haven't done in over a month and half. It needed it and i felt good after doing it. How are things with you?
Everyone needs friends. Everyone has good and bad days. As the saying goes, 'no man is an island'. Take care of yourself first. Be your own best friend. Do what brings you joy.
I love dogs. I haven't had a dog for a couple of years. I had my last one put down when he got so he couldn't see or hear anymore. I loved him soo much.
Being alone a lot, one has to find something to stimulate the mind and bring yourself joy. Always remember that you are important. You know what means most to you. You can find a way to make your life meaningful.
For me...it is walking for a half-hour a day. Your dogs would love to share that time with you...most likely.
hi, thank you for taking a step forward.I know it harsh to deal with Bipolar.I myself suffered from ADHD and bipolar type 2.I am taking little step to move closer to the communities where I belong for example I seek help from different website that provides me a group therapy and able to connect with people who were like me and Heypeers.com is exactly design for that.I am sorry if this offend others,I don't want to advertise their website or anything,along with that I seek help within my local community like Nami and ask around people who had knowledge about mental health for help and they introduce me this website for extra resources to deal with my depression and bipolar.I hope it helps you find what you need.
I think joining this group is a big step toward connecting with other people so you should pay yourself on the back! I too am new to this group and struggle with loneliness and isolation. Therefore, I may not give the most credible advice. But I am here and eager to be a supportive, encouraging friend. It feels good to try and reach out to other people and turn my mind toward what others may need and away from my own self-centered hole of depression. Take care!
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