No, there is nothing wrong with you. I am finding this board very different than other ones I have been on, and I don't know yet why this one is different, but it is. Maybe there is just too many lists to belong to and people hop around a lot. Some of the lists I belong are very quiet and others are the opposite.

I don't think you can really "make friends" here in the traditional sense, as people have lives and they don't really want to be tied to the computer all the time. But if you are feeling bad, you can always post something and say you are having a bad day and need a hug--that is what people will respond to.

Thank you! I'm just so tired of dealing with the agoraphobia and anxiety everyday and every now and then I start feeling sorry for myself.
Recently a friend I had been doing stuff with about every week or every other week since last fall, got a boyfriend and she has dropped me like a hot potato. Either he doesn't like her going out with me or I did or said something to push her away. Maybe it's when I opened up about my anxiety and my phobias, I don't know, So I'm back to having no friends in real life.
I just need people who can understand me who I can talk to on a regular basis.
Thanks again.

I wouldn't give up on your former friend just yet--try to keep the lines of communication open, and don't talk anymore about your problems--people just don't understand this disorder and it perplexes them and they don't know what to do about it.

When you talk to her, focus on her problems, not yours and draw her out by asking about the boyfriend. If it is a new relationship, then she is still in the "ga ga" phase where the whole world revolves around this guy. Eventually, she will come back down to earth, see his dirty socks on the floor, and suddenly will want to go shopping with you again. Just try to wait her out, but stay in touch and she'll be back.

In the meantime, you can certainly make friends online by joining a hobby group or taking an online class--that helps you stay connected with the outside world until you are feeling better.

There is nothing wrong with you at all as I've experienced the same as you with people on DS who appear interested but then just stop communicating with me. But I have a few really good friends here on DS that do communicate regularly with me and they are great. Just give it time, get rid of those who don't bother with you as I think that opens you up to new people wanting y our friendship.

Yeah you shouldn't give up on your friend just yet. As for the activity of this site, maybe they're casual users. For instance, I just discovered this forum and this would also be my first time participating in one.

Frankly, I prefer online friends...since I do not play well with others in life..haha.
All kidding aside, there is absolutely nothing wrong with you. Self-pity is not one of my strong points, I am better at dealing out the hugs and lovies rather than asking for them. So anytime you need an e-hug or a good venting session, don't hesitate to contact me.
Ohhh shrinking. I must disagree. You can make good and true friends online. I have a select few I have collected over the years who are still with me....we talk on a regular basis. The perks are, there are no pressures to "go out and do stuff" and although they don't fully understand my condition, they are very supportive.

I've seen online friendships move on from just being purely online. Social networking has evolved beyond what we thought of a couple of years ago. Society -> constantly changing. (getting a little off topic here)

Hi guys,

Thank you so much for responding! I really feel like people care and understand. I have online friends but I don't talk to them about my anxiety and phobias.

That's all I want is people who understand. Very simple I know.

I understand how you feel because at one point in my life I felt that way. Even now I have a few friends but I don't see them often. I think that's one of the really messed up aspects of the agoraphobia. You aren't out there meeting people and doing things & it's hard to hang on to the friends you have because you don't see them enough to keep the connection. I even find that being home alot makes it difficult to come up with things to talk about with the friends I already have. Hang in there. j

I have felt like that but not on here. I have felt like that in the real world. I find it very hard to keep friends. I tend to think they dont like me after a while or they are talking behind my back. I did recently confide in a couple of girls I work with about my illness and for some reason I think they have shyed away from me. This could be me but I dont know. Since I have been off on medical leave I have only spoken to one of them on the phone. The others have totally ignored me. I dont know if they are giving me my space to get better or if they just dont care. It would be nice to know that they are there for me. Take care I hope this helps

I often feel that most people don't like me and almost all my friends are ones I talk to online. I've chatted with one person almost daily for years now.

Hopefully I'll meet some nice people on here I can keep contact with. I'm not always good at holding a conversation...

on social networks like this, people dont always keep in touch, i have found this very much on this website. But as you keep sociallising on here or in the world, you will find certain people in your life who will always keep in touch and see how you are even it is just one and remember people wont know if you need help or if your lonely unless you tell them.

Well,

since I started this discussion I've met so many nice people on Daily Strength. I have found that with the "hugs" you can stay in contact with someone on a daily basis and not have to "write" a whole lot unless of course you want to. It's easier this way and it gives you and the other people support more regularly and a feeling of "belonging". A lot of us here are a lot alike and that's one of the reasons I joined. I think this is a great place with many great people.
I hope all of you who are new find friends and help and support here and that you stay.