Unwell....over 15 years.

Long ass time. I isolated myself a lot for about 5yrs. It's hard to come out of that.

Do you see a therapist? I did, that's what helped me come out of my isolation.

I've recently started seeing a therapist, and from the first two sessions I get a good vibe from her. She's had to take leave to go on holiday and I won't see her now till March 1st.....could have really done with it this month.

I also think the hibernation in winter instinct can be very strong in some people. It is for me.

I hear ya about the self neglect Lee. I've tried the "doctor's orders, prescribed going outside for sunshine, vitamin D, fresh air, exercise and human contact" and still can't motivate myself during winter. I don't come alive until spring.

Plus the winter depression wants to slow my system down until I die and I long for death yet am to scared to actually cause it. So I have no interest in doing lifebuilding things.

So, Lee, if you keep hibernating it will hurt nobody but yourself and you will get short term gain for long term pain of more depression and weaker bones and more isolation.

Do you want us to kick your ass and drag you outside, or tuck you up all warm in your blankets and bring you hot soup and hot chocolate and sing lullabies? lol

I must have 'hibernation all year round' instinct.

"So, Lee, if you keep hibernating it will hurt nobody but yourself and you will get short term gain for long term pain of more depression and weaker bones and more isolation." - ain't that a blast?

I'll take the ass kicking and being dragged outside please.....can we make camp somewhere?

i have isolated in the past but it takes so much to break it again and get myself moving id rather keep moving a bit if I can and keep the contact up with people i've met

I'm like that & it is a very dramatic change from how I was.. I'm talking very very dramatic. (to the point of being embarassing when my friends & aquaintances bring it up & remember not that long ago how I was) I can be very avoidant & distant.. I dunno really why? This is even when not depressed.. :-/

I would happily stay in my house 24/7 if I could!!!!
But I have to go to 2 or 3 stores on Monday and then 2 or 3 more stores on Tuesdays. And then, any time my mother needs to the bank or when she and I have doctor visits, etc. So I get out plenty, considering I'd rather be home. And home alone, at that!!! I don't see where it makes me feel any more inclined to go out for any unnecessary reasons. I'd be a hermit, if I could!!!!
Good luck to you!! I hope you get to the place where you want to run out and play!!! ((((((Hugs)))))

I am feeling the isolation and apathy with the cold weather and dark skies. There is no sunshine to be found.

I could care less if I left my house.

In the near future I am going to be moving and making friends which will force me out the house. I'm looking forward to it. I'm actually a social person that has been living in a self hindering cocoon for too long. It's easy to do. Because I'm moving to a warmer climate I'll be outdoors a lot and getting invitations to socialize because my family is in the same place and will include me. It's going to be the most profound choice I've ever made in my life and a very healthy one. Think about your lifestyle. Are you where you're supposed to be? Can you move to a location with more to offer you? If you can DO IT! It makes a tremendous difference. I live in a cold climate that only worsens my SAD. Now I'm going to where it's sunny basically all year round. Goodbye depression, or at least some of it. Hooray!

nemo dat quod non habit

it's funny I can usually push myself out if there's money to spend.. shop till ya drop.. shit I can do it if there's plastic to spend.. one thing that gets me out when nothing else does.. dosen't matter what for either or it I need it.. just another bipolar thing..x

I too am looking forward to moving in the near future. It'll give me a chance to do some sorting, cleaning, purging excess baggage etc.. it's always refreshing to have a clean start. I'm avoiding thinking of just how much work it'll be to move. Avoiding... trying, oops I just realized how much work is ahead. Hell with it... downsizing will make it much easier to handle. Little at a time. It'll be a new neighborhood. Hope I'll have a nice place to take walks wtihout dogs to worry about :) What's more I'll get to see Will on his lunch breaks and I'll be saving quite a bit of money each month. It's been costly here. After having to heat the garage has made the light bill skyrocket I'll feel a big sigh of relief saving hundreds of dollars.

OK consider your ass kicked and yourself dragged outside!

Where are we gonna make camp? Is it snowing where you are?

go outside your house and walk around the block before answering.

keep pushing yourself until it feels right. apathy is very deadly. it has a way of compounding itself.