I think our society encourage people to be socialable. That what I thought too. I feel fine being alone. I can entertain myself. I do not need an other.

That's a good point. I guess a big part of my guilt is feeling like I'm not "normal" because I don't fit the societal ideal of socialization. It really is a world made for extroverts.

I can definitely relate. I hardly ever go out with friends anymore. I just don't feel like it. I'm not interested in anything and I just don't wanna be around anyone, most of the time. I hate being that way, but I really don't know what to do about it. I feel bad because people try to make plans and I tell them that I can't. I'm surprised I even have any friends left at all, to be honest.

I know how you feel. I have no real life friends. Just internet acquaintances. I have been hurt many times in real life so it is easier to be alone. I have my family but that is different.

I am known for isolating myself and not going out anywhere. If you ever figure out how to break that cycle, let me know.

BtrcG,
Do you have a pet or pets? I have found this helps me when I am isolating. I am so sorry you feel this way, I do understand. Many of my friends now are not friends because of my depression. I encourage you to try to reach out to someone you can trust, and go from there.
Take care of yourself.

having a cell phone is helping me I randomly text when I am lonely, but there are times when I havent texted in days so I am not sure that is the only answer, I visit my best friend every blue moon. Living back with my family oddly has done some good.

I have never had a problem being alone. I am comfortable with my own company and I guess that is why I can spend time alone with just me, myself, and my dog , Anny. I wish you wouldn't feel guilty as you have no reason to feel that way. That is such a normal thing to do and that is to talk like the energizer bunny when you haven't talked to your friends for awhile. I know how you feel because I do the same thing. There are just times when I don't want to be around anyone and it's so hard to make them understand that it's not personal, it's just how I feel. You are not a bad person so please take that word out of your vocabulary, okay? You are going to be just fine. Hugs GB

Check out the books, party of one and loners manifesto. I want to be around people, but then when i am i find they either bore me or cause me more anxiety and i cant wait to get away. Some famous person said "hell is other people". It is a good thing to be comfortable being alone.

Any Google search will clearly define Solitude versus Isolation. I appreciate my time alone ... Are you really isolated by others actions or isolated by choice?

Short answers, yes. I am very much an introvert. My social circle is pretty small and gets smaller after one of my depressions cycles. I think being a depressed introvert sucks. As introverts we recharge in the privacy of ourselves, depression turns that privacy into a living nightmare. This makes maintaining relationships, for me, difficult.

Back to question, I don't think it's bad chatting your friends ear off. I think there is a lot of fun in catching up and moving up to speed.It's a deeper conversation than oh , hey how are the kids, good, good.

Have you tried inviting your friends round to your house so you feel a little more comfortable. social networks such as Facebook are good even, though you're going out you're still socializing with your friends it makes it less nerve wrecking online. Or going to groups in your area to meet friends that are going through same thing.

I have done exactly the same i hardly leave the house. I only see one friend and she comes to my house. I deleted Facebook so i have no way to interacting with my friends. I haven't spoken to them for months.

Hugs i hope you find the answer, to help you become less isolated

people tell me i hide in my cave all the time, and they're right, i do... i dont like large crowds and parties... it bugs my anxioty and i just need to leave...

i have a very large family and when they all start showing up, i vanish... this makes them all think i hate them, when i really really dont (ok, one cousin kinda makes me sick to my stomach when i think of her but the rest of them are great!)

but ive found i do much better when i do some socializing...

on fridays i play cards, i can focus on the cards and not the people but i can also deal with the 4 people playing... and on saturdays, 3-4 of us get together to watch a movie or whatever... and that works too... specially cause hes got cuddly pets i can focus on

anyway, my point is, even tho being alone usually feels better, i think i do a lot better when i get SOME socializing in, in the real world... if i dont, i start going to very dark places in my mind... and i dont like those places...

especially when i was being a caregiver for my mom, it helped, cause it was a few hours a week where i didnt have to worry about her (as much)... but she just recently passed, so, i duno...

unfortunately, with my only source of income gone, finding the gas money to do my weekend things is going to become a challenge