Dear Waterlily67~
I'd like to welcome you here. If you have a look around you will see that there are others in a similar predicament. It's a horrible thing to be alone and be the sort of person that needs another.
I guess there are a couple of things, some people like dating and a social life for it's own sake, and others see it as a means to meeting people that they form bonds with, be it a partner or just good friends.If you are one of the latter then there are of course other methods, as someone in your circumstances I don't think I need to enumerate them, you sound as if you are already doing the right things.
Friendship is a two way thing and maybe there are a couple of things you can do to make it more likely to happen. The first is to present a (reasonably) happy face most of the time. As someone who has had depression for a couple of years this might not be easy, unfortunately the illness can be very far reaching and affect all aspects of one's life.
May I ask if you are under treatment? I found I simply did not improve until I had competent medical support with both therapy and meds. If you are not seeing a doctor could I suggest you go see your GP in a long consultation and say what has been happening to you?
The other thing is to try to look at people from their point of view. I'm probably not explaining that very well. I mean to form even a casual relationship if you appear interested and understanding they are more likely to want to return the feelings.
When depressed it is sometimes very hard to realize how worthwhile one is, and how much one has to offer others. I'm sure you would have a lot and the confidence that knowledge can give does help.
Croix
