Does Depression cause loneliness?

[Alone_Girl]

I feel more alone than ever and have a loving husband and two children.

I have stopped answering calls from family and feel like i cant talk to anyone and just cry all the time.

I feel my depression (now diagnosed), has made me even lonelier since I cant talk to anyone about my feelings

and randomly walk around watching others that appear so happy and in groups wondering how i become that happy and connected.

The only place I can express myself is online to strangers like this forum!

Have I caused my own loneliness?

[Croix]

Dear Alone_Girl~

Welcome here, where people have felt the same and understand what you are gong through. We are not really strangers here because we talk the same language, gained from personal experience. Those without the experience can be loving and care, but won't really understand what's in one's head.

To answer you question, no -you have not caused your loneliness, depression has done so. It is an illness that alters all of one's life. Narrowing down one's perceptions to concentrate on a few unhappy things, breeding a sense of deep isolation, exhausting and leaves one feeling a stranger and not being able to understand oneself.

Crying and not feeling able to talk are so typical. I can relate to all these things because I've been there too.

That's why I'm glad you said you had been diagnosed. I simply went down until I had the right medical treatment, not something I could make better by myself.

I thought I'd become a different person. As I improved I found the original me was still there and increasingly came back.

Having a loving husband and children is a wonderful thing, even if they seem remote at the moment. As you get better they will give you comfort and happiness again, mine did.

Anytime you want we will be here for you

Croix

[geoff]

Hello Alone_Girl, and a warm welcome to you.

I feel so sorry for you, but only depression has caused this to happen, and even though we maybe strangers, there is so much assimilation between us all as we have been through our own type of depression, that's how we are all linked together, helping one another.

Loneliness are emotions that make you feel alone and are very powerful because they can trigger depression,and any anxiety will play an enormous part to this, plus that will stop you from wanting to connect with anyone else.

Depression will force this upon you, and please remember it's not your fault, nobody wants to ever get this illness, and we pretend to everyone that we are 'fine', but eventually it becomes too exhausting, so we throw away the fake mask and then stay at home, that's the only place you feel safe.

Can I please suggest that you contact your doctor, they may prescribe medication and refer you to a psychologist, but ask them about the menta; health plan, this allows you to have 10 free sessions with the psych per year, and under special circumstances your doctor may be allowed to extend these visits.

I hope you stay in contact with us.

Best wishes.

Geoff.

[Alexlisa]

Hello Alone_Girl,

I'm really sorry that you're having such a difficult time. I'm glad you reached out her, because like the others said, we do share a bond and understanding that can make us feel a little less alone in our battle.

One of the main symptoms of depression is isolating oneself. Please don't think your loneliness is something you've caused, it is unfortunately just another facet of depression. It can create this impossible situation where you both yearn for and pull away from connection at the same time. I too know the feeling.

It's really good that you were able to follow through to get a diagnosis. The next step is getting some help, which you truly deserve because carrying such a burden alone is tough. Like Geoff mentioned, please think about speaking to your GP about seeing a psychologist. They will be able to teach you skills that will help you on your road to recovery, but more importantly for you at the moment, they can support you to feel much less alone with what you're going through. I tried for a long time to do it on my own, but when I eventually accepted that I needed help and began seeing a psychologist, it was the best thing that I've ever done. I can't imagine not having had that support. She holds hope for me when I can't hold it for myself.

Take care,

Alexlisa x

[GingerSnaps]

Hi Alone Girl,

i have tears I’m my eyes as I feel I know you. That’s probably because I feel the same way, minus the husband as I left mine a few years ago.

living with depression is hard. The constant feeling of loniliness is hard. To be surround by people and feel so alone is something i will always find hard. When I find myself in these moments, as I am today, I try to remind myself of happy times. It doesn’t change the way I feel but it helps my brain to know that logically I have felt happiness. I find that helps stop or at least slow the downward spiral.

i hope that makes sense for you and that you can find some comfort and assurance to know you are not alone. Know that it is not anything that you have done.

im always happy to chat online