I feel like that too. People used to invite me places but I always said no because of depression/social anxiety. I used to always say I was busy or at work. Now I don’t even get invited. I’m going to try and say yes more often and you should too. We need to push ourselves to be more involved and less alone.

Thank you for sharing. Yes, sadly Depression and Anxiety will make you want to hide in shame or think that others might be disgusted around you. These are lies. You have nothing to be ashamed of, and I highly doubt any body thinks so lowly of you as Depression tells you they do. When we avoid people or push them away, they tend to be avoided and pushed away. It does take courage to show yourself warts and all. People do understand. We here on DS understand, and like you for you. Others will too. Remember that it is Depression and Anxiety, and not you or them. You are more then worth knowing. I hope this helped. You are in my prayers. God Bless.

If you haven't considered seeing a doctor about it , i would suggest it. i have a few friends who have social anxiety very badly but their doctors gave them meds and now they are much more happy and out going. it could be a simple fix. triple hugs~

I'm so sorry you feel lonely. Maybe if you went shopping or out to eat you'd feel less lonely. You could try asking someone to your house too. I know how scary it is, niece me.

I feel like that sometimes. I have learned to befriend myself. I am my own company. I have found listening to music, journaling, going to places like a cafe or the library where there are people... doing something like baking really helps. Also spending time with my cats. Not everyone has a pet. It takes some time but it is not bad to be alone. It is also not bad to spend time with yourself and invest time in yourself. Take some pamper time...some me time. I know the struggle.

I can soooo relate to your isolation and lonliness but for different reasons beyond my control. I am dependent 100% on oxygen life support so my strength and mobility are severely limited.

Before I was diagnosed, I had a nice group of friends - every week we'd try out a new coffee shops to sample their cappuccinos and cheese cake or take in a movie or spend Micky Mouse money window shopping at the Mall or a picnic on the beach.. But my machine, even the small portable model and walker got in the way and I couldn't go anywhere that wasn't user friendly, like at the movies, using an escalator, lift, stairs, even restroom cubicles.

We pooled our cars and, unlucky for me, not all the trunks of the cars were big enough for my walker and machine. If I used my limited battery portable, I had to find a seat near a power socket to re-charge my battery in case it ran down and this option wasn't always available. I felt like a spoke in the wheel that put a damper on the fun we planned to enjoy.

I became a right royal pain in the ass and very soon invitations dried up until my only companion was the constant drone-thump of my oxygen machine to keep me company and reminded me that I still lived and breathed. Yes, we pal-gals sometimes got together at my home to catch up on girlie talk and juicy tid-bits, but that too waned when it became apparent that I was losing touch with the world beyond my oxygen hose. Even the phone calls became few and far between and chatter centered around mundane weather forecasts and our kids.

I was teetering on the edge of anxiety and depression that took me to the precipice of Slumpville and I began to question if there was a safety net beyond terminal velocity. I think that's when I developed agoraphobia as well because I felt like a freakin' side show in public places. My walker was up-graduated to a wheel chair because I didn't have strength or energy to walk unaided or navigate myself through supermarket aisles or fashion racks. Besides , who the hell in my group of friends would be prepared to sacrifice a day's outing to be my chair pusher. How embarrassing, humiliating and dehumanising. I felt guilty and too proud to impose my needs onto others, be they friends or not..

In reality, I was isolating myself from life, making myself a hermit and denying the help my friends were offering me. Only I didn't realise it at the time and now when I phone them to say a simple Howdy, I envisage them sitting on the edge of their seat waiting for me to cash in that rain check I had put on hold for a rainy day. Out of sight out of mind, as they say, unless I put a concerted effort into putting my vanity and pride behind me to join the world again.

OK, so now I'm 70 yrs old and sporting portmanteau bags under my eyes, a turtle neck and boobs and belly that have joined forces somewhere below my navel. Ugly bruised hands and arms from the enough blood thinners and cortisone to kick start a Boeing, paper thin skin and excruciating crumbling back bone are my cross to bear and if people choose to stare at me then let that be a lesson to be aware of noxious fumes in and around the house and work environment. Smoking isn't the be all and end all to emphysema but it doesn't help either - Den and I just pulled the short straws - some get it, some don't,

I won't be defined by what I look like or how I struggle to gasp each breath,but rather by having come to terms with the rotten hand I've been dealt and how best I can use it to my advantage till my Rainbow's end. "Dancing on Ice" has shown me that it is possible to master a fine balancing act on a the edge of a blade and revel in their achievements. Gonna try get me some of that contentment, mentally of course. Wanna join me?

Good luck to you all and my you find new avenues to explore to find your means of climbing out of those dark and fearsome pits of despair and hopelessness. Answers are out there, you just have to find them. Blessings all round and take care of yourselves. You are not alone. (((hugs))) with caramel topping for trying.

Thank you. I know where you are at. There are times when loneliness is great. We feel different and out of place. The people we once held dear, are no longer people that around. Just know that Jesus is near. His love is great. He has a plan for you. JEREMIAH 29:11