I hope they call you back, Stacey

I feel lonely because I AM lonely

You are doing the right thing. I'm in the same boat. Bipolar is a lonely road.

Bipolar doesn't have to be a lonely road. I find it easier when I have friends whether here or in real life that have some form of mental illness b/c they understand the struggle/meds/daily life etc. You're probably thinking where do you meet these people? Well, I met one in the hospital and I met a couple more on here... most of my friends that I met under non-mental health related circumstances having issues with mental illness as well. I guess I'm lucky for this b/c many members of my mom's family (including her) are dealing with mental health problems as well. I just basically avoid the ones who I know won't understand and I don't tell them anything about my life. If you ever need to talk just PM me and I'll be online usually after 10PM EST. I hope they call you back, good luck.

Oh, I was going to add... try joined an in-person support group in your city, that would be a good way to meet someone in person (without having to be hospitalized) who understands. I know the internet is great place, but it's always better to have someone you can talk to in person.

My family is like yours - they don't really understand and often act in ways that are insensitive. I try to give them the benefit of the doubt and accept that what they do and say is usually well meaning. Having said that, I try to keep my family at arms length. I can only manage them in small doses.

Maybe your family & friends would agree to schedule. schedule day- wk that they will call you or stop by for 30ty minutes.

My dear friend stops by every other wk. for 15 minutes, 15 minutes having been our agreement as will as day that she is schedule to visit.

People avoid those who constantly complain every time. people don't look forward to feeling that every time that they see or talk w certain person, they know that it will be sad & pity me ... chat.
Most people are not edu - trained to handle & understand our illness so why burden others w that they have no control of.
We should not buden our family friend. they may come to feel helpless even though they want to help but they don't know what else to do to assist us.

I have 4 dogs. I half to keep 2 of 4 seprated. I spend at minimun 15 minutes w ea dog 5 ttimes w/in a day. this doesn't include takeing them out, laundying thier bed covers, nor feeding them nor giveing treats nor bathing them every other wk & brushing them daily etc... yes it's almost a full time job tending to my dogs need daily.
If u don't have a small lap dog adopt 1 today.
I have 4 lap dogs who will clim up & set on my lap while I'm on toilet.
When seated I can't keep them off me. I wouldn't have it any other way will except the bth rm offc..
Please do adopt a tiny or small dog today.

Aw my med kicked in so off to dream land I go.
hope to see you on board again & to chat w u if u opt.

Stacey.............I am sorry that you are lonely. I have the support of most of my family and friends and yet, sometimes, I feel lonesome in a room full of people. I think lonely is a state of being within ourselves if that makes sense. Since I have began to love myself, I find that I don't get as lonely as I used to. It's a work in progress, honey. Best of luck to you. Hugs.

My family and one friend tries to understand and are there for me as much as they can be but I think having mental illness is very lonely cause nobody really knows how we feel unless they feel the same way. It is a lonely thing to have mental illness. I just wish your family would at least try to be there for you.

Dear Stacey, I hope your family call you back too. Just hang in there because the support you need might be just around the next corner. God bless you. Shacky