How to cope with depression and anxiety?

[JoW72]

I was diagnosed with depression about 8 years ago. I'm not on any medication and manage most of the time to keep things in check but then something happens and everything seems against me.

I have only 2 people i call friend so loneliness is a massive problem too. I haven't told either that I have depression and anxiety, who whats a friend with mental health problems??

Im to shy and anxious to head out and meet people which compounds the problem.

I use alcohol to "help" which we all know it doesn't but that is a difficult cycle to break as it stops the negative thoughts and kills time.

Anyone have any suggestions how to handle the loneliness? any support groups out there for that??

[Saffy]

I’m in a similar boat. My only suggestion is that I’ve found that structured activities are sometimes an easier way to get out of the house. Rather than pubs or anything like that, enrol in a class or course to learn something that interests you. Enrolling means you’ll probably show up and because it’s a class, you can focus on just participating rather than feeling forced to unnaturally socialise. If you’re anything like me you’re probably adept at hiding your depression with strangers so you might meet a few new people by stealth and perhaps make a friend along the way.

[Pisces_the_fish]

Hi this is my first time here but iive been on depression tablets and up until a month ago they worked but now i cry daily cant sleep more than two hours so exhausted one of my problems is i live alone which i hate i have two great kids and granddaughter but still feel alone and sad cant be bothered to do anything cant wait for day to end so i can sleep are there classes you can go to and talk with people in same situation