I've had that exact same feeling. I'm introverted by nature, and when I feel well I'm okay being by myself, but I feel isolated when I'm not. The main thing to realize is that you're not alone. There are people who know what you're going through and who care. Daily Strength has been wonderful for that, it really connects you with very sympathetic people.

I've posted this on another post but it's a start. Good advice if you practice it.

http://www.bspcn.com/2007/05/22/10-simple-ways-to-save-yourself-from-messing-up-your-life/

I have felt alone in a group since I was 12 or 13...I was always worried what everyone thought of me, etc...think I cheated myself out of a lot by being this way. I have tried as an adult to be better at this, but I find that even after I am accepted into a group, I force myself out by not being able to get out of my own thoghts Does this make sense to anyone????

"I find that even after I am accepted into a group, I force myself out by not being able to get out of my own thoghts Does this make sense to anyone????"

Yes, it makes sense to me because I can relate. When I do feel like I am accepted into a group, I jeopardize it someway. I also can't get out of my thoughts and out of my head. I am stuck thinking too much. I am always thinking and worrying about something. And it's as if when I am accepted into a group, I tend to then think and worry about how long they will keep accepting me - as if I jeopardize things before I can be rejected. I feel that if they get to know the "real" me, they won't really care or like me much, so I end up alienating myself from them.

I hate being alone now,last year I had a great social life but this year its gone downhill and I can't stand it.With my depression sometimes I feel alone with a group of friends ecspecialy if they don't understand.

camden, again you describe exactly how i feel.it does feel better to know that there are people feeling as i do.it is comforting that i'm not alone.in the morning, i know where to go when i start my day.i don't deal yet. i do pray and i will pray for you.that is all i know to do.your thoughts make total since to me!!! heather

Yes, I totally get what you are saying. I usually can put on the "fake" social smile and blend in, but I am never really comfortable or wanting to do it.

Yeh it has really affected my social life, even though my friends know about my anxiety they obviously don't understand all the time when i don't go out & when i do go out with them i'm not really there im so worried about things. I've found since i've left school it's harder to keep my friendships as i have less in common with everyone. All my friends have jobs & are studying at uni so when we all get together they all talk about their jobs & uni. I feel very left out in these conversations as what do i have to talk about i work for my dad & im not studying atm. I haven't made any new friends other than my school friends as i don't go out much & socialise. I feel so alone & i'm scared the day will come when i won't have any friends because they just can't understand whats wrong with me.
Thanks to everyone here for being so accepting & friendly, it makes such a difference :)

Yeh it has really affected my social life, even though my friends know about my anxiety they obviously don't understand all the time when i don't go out & when i do go out with them i'm not really there im so worried about things. I've found since i've left school it's harder to keep my friendships as i have less in common with everyone. All my friends have jobs & are studying at uni so when we all get together they all talk about their jobs & uni. I feel very left out in these conversations as what do i have to talk about i work for my dad & im not studying atm. I haven't made any new friends other than my school friends as i don't go out much & socialise. I feel so alone & i'm scared the day will come when i won't have any friends because they just can't understand whats wrong with me.
Thanks to everyone here for being so accepting & friendly, it makes such a difference :)

I think it's very hard for people who've never experienced it to understand what anxiety can be like. You can try to articulate it, but it's something you have to go through to be able to fully appreciate what's happening. Try talking to your friends about how you feel. Good friends will always be able to listen to you and make the effort to understand because you are special to them.

I dont have a social life how fun!

Well boring life i lead!

I can't face all the worry/pain that goes with having a social life. I try my utmost to dodge any social goings on in whatever way I can and I do a very good job at it. Even something like opening the door to a neighbour frightens me. Its upsetting when at times you feel lonely and wish you could socialise just like other people do but what would I rather choose? Unfortunately, I have to opt for the safer choice of the two and thats to not have a social life.

I hate waking up in the morning and feeling anxious i can't wait till the day that I can wake up feeling good and amazing like I have done b4

I know how you feel, i am afriad to be in a group of people. when ever my friends and i got out i normally end up staying away from crowds and areas of people, even if my friends go in. i end up watching every thing and wish that i could be involved but i am too afraid to. This makes me feel alone. When this happends to me i just remeber that i am there for my friends and that they are there for me, so i try to be involved and they know well enough when i need to leave and take a break. what i try to do is go to small gathering places first in a familiar setting that i know, don't go alone bring the people that you know and trust the most they will help make you feel comfortable. start off small and try to stay involved in the s
activities that you are doing. pick 2-3 people to "buddy" and stick with them so you are never alone. when you need to take a break. then get back into the group. you may never loose the feeling of being alone or seperate in a crowd, but you can gain a sense of comfort and closeness with the friends you go with. that way you are not so lonley.