Hey, all!

[Assan]

Hey, greetings from Europe. I suffer from generalised anxiety disorder and depression. Due to my mental health issues I've spent the last 2 years living almost like a hermit. And since I'm very introverted, I didn't mind much. Human interactions didn't seem that important back then. But I've started feeling quite lonely. Who'll understand me better than people with similar issues, right? That's why I'm here. Forgive my awkwardness, I'm not very good at small talk and never know how to start a conversation. Hope you have a good day/evening/night :)

[MainerMikeBrown]

I know what it's like to feel lonely too.

Welcome, Assan.

[gypsylee]

Hi Assan and welcome :)

[Kirk]

Welcome to the forum. Based on what you wrote above, you communicate fine. Don't be too hard on yourself as
everyone has some issue to deal with.

[Assan]

Thanks, people :) I appreciate your kind words.

[Kirk]

One does not have to be by themselves to feel lonely.

[salvator here]

Welcome!

I've actually felt more lonely surrounded by people than by myself at times. In group situations, I was usually left alone to sit at a table by myself. I'm not sure how to explain loneliness but to me, its just another feeling that usually passes. Remembering back, I did used to complain a lot to people; I stopped doing that now as it chases people away.

No, you're not alone here, I also live like a hermit and am very introverted too, but I managed to go at least go out almost everyday now - baby steps I guess!

[wolvie15]

This is why i am so happy i still work. I probably would have barricaded myself home. I am an introvert and big crowds suck teh energy out of me.

[salvator here]

I started to find socializing to be a painful chore and stopped going to bars/clubs altogether by 2001 (and I both worked and partied throughout the early to mid 90's). Besides, working became such a struggle for me that I started to lose my desire to go out after work anyway and be around people. I was nowhere near as socially awkward then as I am now (I actually had a psychologist call me socially inept) and although I never had close friends, I had enough acquaintances. Once I had to stop working well over 10 years ago, I became reclusive and developed more phobias and more anxiety and started to avoid people when possible. Had anybody told me I'd be agoraphobic in my 40's, I'd had laughed.

Loneliness comes and goes for me, even though my situation and circumstances are not changing, so I don't have the answer(s) as to what causes it (or makes it go away for that matter). Some days I feel totally fine enjoying my own company, other times, I feel mind crushing loneliness. Luckily it does pass though.

Do you have any support system in real life, Assan? We're open 24/7 of course :)

[salvator here]

Also, sometimes, desperation causes us to become either become needy or (worse) a pushover. People used me a lot for their own selfish needs and I allowed it because I felt I didn't deserve better. Now, I do feel I deserve better, but will likely never find better which it why I'd rather rely on myself and would never tolerate what I did back then. So that is a good thing and I see it as progress.