I cannot make connections with anyone

[_Ev_]

I’ve been struggling with depression for the past 4 years (I’m 16 now), and it is slowly just getting worse. I think I’ve messed up with keeping relationships with people. The past four years I haven’t been trying to connect with people (because of my mental health problems), and now, I cannot connect with people.

I don’t know how to act. I don’t have a clue who I am. And I know I’m just 16, but I’m not interested in anything. I don’t have passion. I don’t have excitement. Everything is just one, long, dull moment of nothingness. And I can’t talk to people. I seriously cannot. And if anyone replies to this, please don’t judge if I struggle in my reply.

I can’t talk to my mum or dad or brothers, and I don’t have friends. I don’t know what to do.

[Sophie_M]

Hey _Ev_
  Welcome to the forums, we are so glad that you've taken a big step in sharing your thoughts and feelings here with our wonderful community. We're so sorry to hear that you've been struggling with depression and finding it difficult to connect with others. We're sure that a lot of our community members will relate to what you're going through right now, and hopefully some of them will be able to offer you some words of support and advice.     If you feel it may be helpful, you are always welcome to get in touch with Kids Help Line- they are a confidential and anonymous, telephone and online counselling service specifically for young people aged 25 and under. The lovely counsellors can talk through these feelings with you 24/7 on 1800 55 1800 or you can also get in touch through webchat at https://kidshelpline.com.au/get-help/webchat-counselling

You might also be intersted in reaching out to an organisation called Headspace, which is specifically for young people aged 12-25. They offer a wide range of services including group programs which can be a really great opportunity to meet people and connect with others.   We hope that you keep checking back in and let us know how you are going when you feel up to it. We're all here for you.

[_Ev_]

Thankyou

[maxibon77]

Hey, I’m Max. I’ve been dealing with depression for around 4 years as well.

Recently I’ve also been struggling to connect with people. Wanting to do something, but at the same time, not wanting to because you can’t be bothered. It’s just so annoying, particularly the feeling of constant tiredness.

What I’m trying to say is that you’re not alone. Despite feeling disconnected from everyone in your life, you’re connected with those going through the same thing. Just posting this has connected you to the thousands of people on here.

I also definitely understand your feeling of not having a clue of who you are, as I’ve been feeling the same as well, particularly in this lockdown. It sounds so stereotypical but at our age it’s just what happens. It’s a pretty rubbish feeling, not knowing your meaning/purpose in life, but once you’ve found your reason, you can finally see the beauty found throughout the world.

Basically I’m saying life is confusing, frustrating and dull at times, but it’s those times of beauty, happiness and love that are worth living for. Teenage years, despite how they’re shown in those crappy American movies, are really scary, as you begin become yourself. Allow yourself to become yourself.

Take care, Max.

[geoff]

Hello _Ev_, and to Max, what you have told us is something we would never expect, even being lonely but enjoying life is nothing like what you are struggling with, it's a lonely but truly an awful experience we can relate to, but none of this is any fault of yours and please remember this, so we want to help you.

The links Sophie_M has given you are a good start to either talk on the phone, webchat or online counselling.

With depression, and I'm not a doctor or qualified to say, just had to experience it myself, we don't go and find people to be friends with, they come to you, only because people young or old may not know to deal with a friend suffering from depression and decide to stay aloof, rather than those who want to help you know or have experienced this illness themselves and know how devastating it can debilitate a person.

The interest we once with a hobby, maybe a sport or any other particular attraction deserts us, we don't have any encouragement nor inspiration and the strength we were once proud of, has gone.

We hope to hear back from you whenever it's possible.

Geoff.