Social isolation

Hi @1966retrocat, welcome. 🙂

Like you, I too am one who has a strong tendency to withdraw into my home. I too am lucky to have a kind companion. Since starting to get myself out of the flat more over the past couple of years, I have developed a few nice friends in the local area where I live, also a blessing. I've been shy since childhood, really it was probably more than shyness in childhood too as I remember experiencing a lot of symptoms of anxiety and depression as well throughout that time of my life. Over time I have developed better skills to deal with this social awkwardness I experience, but the feelings often remain on the inside and I can not depend on myself to be able to always manage social situations well.

One of the things that has helped me connect a little more widely outside the home over the past couple of years is attending activities at a local community mental health organisation. They run support groups, coffee groups that meet in cafes, occasional arts and crafts workshops and more. The other thing that has helped a lot is connecting to the Phams program (Personal Helpers and Mentors). This has given me a support worker over the past year or so who helps me in my efforts to leave the flat and connect more with the community. Something like these programs might be available too in your area.

I have found this forum also helps alleviate feelings of isolation with my mental health issues, though of course it doesn't replace real life friends. In addition to any efforts you might make to connect more with people in the real world, I hope you find it helpful to join in with us at the forum too. There's support and understanding to be found here. Wishing you well.

@1966retrocat a big friendly welcome to the forums 🙂

im the same, i tend to try to isolate myself all the time. im really shy and until i get to know you most of the time i wont say a peep, even if the conversation interests me. so your definently not alone here.

i agree with @Mazarita coming onto the forums and even contributing abit to a conversation that you know something about e.g a coping strategy that might benefit someone else can help reduce thos feelings of isolation.

thank you for sharing your post, feel free to keep adding things to this post or contributing to another thread, your always welcome here and you have my support as well as many others im sure

I have agoraphobia, anxiety and DPD

Hi, I get it..I have been advised to engaged and put your self out their without expectations..easy to say and hard to do, I close down outside of work due my "condition" which has made my social isolation untenable as I have no frends and need to develope as social isolation is bad and leads to dark places.

Hi @Kate3, welcome to the forum.

sometimes the world drives us underground

that's our chance to self care & get strong again

Hi Kate3, i just want company too, not good in 'groups' myself either - especially being the'new kid on the block' - people get set in their 'comfort zones' (stick with what and who they know and don't care to change if they're comfortable), its human nature. One thing that helped me was to quietly 1:1 (persistently & privately) ask each one to meet you for coffee 1:1 as its easier to get to know people 1:1. Keep conversations light and your problems for counsellors, journals and the prayer closet. Well, that's just what I've learned - the hard way. Accept here, because its anonymous there's no fear of it coming back to bite you (well, I hope not, guess some are contrary wherever we go). Gosh, now I'm rambling. Just saying hi really, because we're both new 🙂