Newbie's Social Club - Come make some friends!

Hi there newbie here, just wondering how everyone copes with loneliness and isolation, any and all thoughts are appreciated

Hey @Lostsoul26 ,

Welcome to the forums!

Isolation and loneliness can really affect one's mental health. I have first hand experience myself.

Let's just say, I had a lot of people around me, but I still felt alone. I felt that no one really understood me and I didn't even understand myself.

I can't say I'm very good and socialising and getting out there amongst people. This was where I found these forums helpful. I find I am much better at expressing myself in written form. My connecting with others on the forums here, I felt much less alone.

I wonder if the connection you can develop on the forums will be helpful for you? Then, whether these skills can be transferred into the real world?

What are things you like doing?

@Lostsoul26 hi 👋, I have been having a very hard time with feeling lonely and isolated I am looking for some tips as well, just thought I would say hi 👋 😊

That's the thing I have no idea what I like doing, I'm just sick and tired of crying at the drop of a hat and feeling so desperately lonely and isolated 🤷

Hi @Lostsoul26 ,

I hear you. Please know this is not an uncommon experience. Have you spoken to your GP about it?

I hear things are really confusing and tough for the time being. We are here to support you.

It's totally okay if you don't really know what you like doing at this time. Rather, do you know what are your protective factors or things that keep you going even if you are finding things terribly tough?

Hugs my dear.

Hi there @Ziezie - great to see you around! I look forward to getting to know you a bit more.

Hi 👋 @tyme thanks for the welcome message 😊

I'd be interested to learn more about you @Ziezie - only if you feel like sharing.

For example, what brought you to the forums?

@tyme there's not much to tell about me haha. I'm a 40yr old single mum with schitzoaffective disorder, I have been pretty stable with a few ups and downs but lately my mind just snapped, it snapped a few weeks ago and hasn't quite gone back to normal yet and I'm not quite sure why, I think maybe it was from stress and that's why I joined here recently. I would like to learn more about you also if you feel comfortable sharing with me.

Thank you for sharing @Ziezie .

I'm nearly 40. Will be there soonish.

I live alone but I have some very cheeky nieces and nephew who live next door to me and therefore form a huge part of my life.

I've had a very very difficult journey with my mental health, and I never thought I'd get out of it. I didn't think I'd survive my 26th birthday. Let's just say it was a very dark path. I was in and out of hospital, get myself into a lot of trouble and was absolutely miserable.

Then, somehow there was a turning point. I was taken in by the public mental health team. I engaged fully in the treatment I desperately needed, and after a few years, things really changed.

As part of my recovery, I found these forums, and I've stayed here ever since 🙂 I found the peer to peer support so helpful. It allowed me to see I wasn't alone and it also allowed me to give back to the community which really helped.

@Ziezie , I hope the connection you develop on the forums will support you with your mental health.

@tyme wow sounds like you had a really tough road. Your story sounds very similar to mine actually. Thanks for reaching out. So far I have been enjoying the forums and I do feel like they will be a big help to me.