Loneliness

[RachieW]

So I haven’t posted for a while as I haven’t been doing too badly lately but I think everything is catching up with me now and I feel so isolated and lonely. Over the years I’ve lost my friends and I don’t seem to find it easy to bond with people. Because of my severe social anxiety people think I’m rude and ignorant and don’t warm to me. I can go days without any contact with people other than who I work with and my partner and I’m beginning to feel very sad

[Helen4566]

Hi Rachie

I know how you feel I'm in the exact same situation. its amazing how much your story is like mine , I don't know how to get out of this I come home on Friday from work and stay in till Monday morning ive got no interest in much.... I just know it cant go on like this ......take care H x

[RachieW in reply to Helen4566]

Hi Helen,

It’s awful isn’t it! I always knew I was different when younger as I couldn’t make friends and when I did I was overly attached and would probably drive them insane. As I’ve got older I tend to avoid social situations and if I do have to attend one I shy away from people and they think I’m awkward and don’t talk to me much. I was diagnosed with severe social anxiety last July but I’ve had no real progress. I too come home and don’t interact or do much and I suppose that’s owed to my anxiety and depression. The past few months have been trying as I learnt in the space of 2 months that my dad is terminally ill. As a result I’ve become more reclusive! I have an interest in crafts and make things in my spare time but I feel my life is stuck.. my partner works away all week and I just feel lonely 24/7. Hope you keep well also x

[Hidden]

Your partner?

[RachieW in reply to Hidden]

What is the question there?

[Hidden in reply to RachieW]

Is your partner your lover? Partner can mean anything.

[RachieW in reply to Hidden]

Partner as in boyfriend

[mattom75 in reply to RachieW]

I can definitely relate. I am a introvert with social anxiety so making new friends is very difficult. I have found that getting out of the house (even though I'm by myself) is better than sitting home alone all the time, and it improves my mood. I go out to dinner, a play or movie, jogging... I feel like volunteering would be a great way for us introverts with anxiety to get out and meet new people and get us out of the house, but I haven't done any volunteering yet.

[RachieW in reply to mattom75]

I do manage to get myself out the house thankfully I make myself as there are days where I could happily not but I find my job helpful sometimes as it’s very focused on interacting with people and I have no choice but to deal with them however it’s making that leap from the just talking to people to creating a bond. I just feel like people look at me and avoid me, it must be written on my face

[mattom75 in reply to RachieW]

There is a website called Meetup where you can join different groups of people with mutual interests. Or you can form your own group and people can join your group. I think this would be a great way to make new friends.

[Ashley228]

I know exactly how you feel, it’s difficult to deal with...

[Fender62]

There's more of us then I realized I to have trouble bonding which is strange since I'm an entertainer have no problems on stage connecting with an audience but off stage and personal life totally alone . I just make myself go out and do things and hope someday I'll meet people to do things with

[RachieW in reply to Fender62]

I’m same my job is very focused on face to face contact with strangers which I seem to be able to deal with but my personal life is totally different and all I can think is that it’s due to the extra step of bonding and finding common ground with people my interests are quite limited these days where in the past i would be much more adventurous

[Dagmar1952]

What's the difference what "Partner" means? I don't think that has anything to do with what was asked. Besides it's being a bit too nosy.