I grew up the same as you. My house was not a normal one like my friends had. It was very dysfunctional. I only had one friend that I let come any where near my home. To this day..27 years later..we are still friends..but my mental and physical health prevents me form visiting her as much as I would like to. I have contact with neighbors now..which before I never had because we lived on a back country road. Now I stand at the bus stop with the other moms and it is really the only time that I am social other than here at DS. I am going to make it a point on Tuesday when the kids return to school to invite the women to my house for coffee. Move past the small talk and talk of the kids...to maybe just talking in my home. Maybe something will come from that. Maybe you can do the same with the people you have your small talk with. Invite them to your home or maybe put out an invite to go to lunch or something. I dont know what interests you have..but bowling leagues were always fun for me in my 20s. I met alot of people and meeting every Tuesday was alot of fun. It felt very social to me and it got me out of my house and talking to people. You can even meet people at support groups. go to a support group. Meet people who suffer the same as you do and once you are comfortable...go for coffee after the meeting. I think that the invite may even be given to you before you ask. I hope that this helped.

I'm sorry that you don't have anyone that you feel is a friend to hang out with right now...I know that is rough, I've been there. I'm sorta in the same boat right now, with trying to find friends to hang out with. I've sorta lost all of my old friends because of my out of control PTSD episodes that nobody could really handle. They left me feeling so abandoned that now I have no choice but to start over with new friends. But you know what? I figure that in times like this, we get to choose our friends, those who will be there to support us. Sorry I don't have any other advice on how to start making friends...I'm still trying to figure that one out myself....

I don't know if you're religious at all, but you can meet people at your house of worship. You can also join a club or volunteer. I used to belong to a knitting group, and I loved it. Go to a talk and try to meet the people around you, go for coffee after? Dunno, I have the same problem, so I should probably follow my own advice! lol.

there is a say'n and it goes like this..."If U can count all ur friends on one hand U have a lot" It is what I have noticed in life....

What was that parable in that black book everyone likes to quote ??????Oh yeah it was about a wedding and these ppl were invited but found reasons why not to go, so the guy who had already invested their time into fixing the eats and stuff opend his doors to everyone on the street...ever think that these were this guys friends?????

Have fun making friends, but as U do this watch out for the users/takers who are waiting for a giver...

My one New Year resolution was to become more more confident. Making friends I think will be a big part of this.

I have the exact same problem. I dont know how to go and make new friends and it sucks A LOT!!!! I am always by myself and I just wish i knew how to make more friends.