Your post was beautifully written, Rebecca - so that's something you can do well, and is maybe a starting point for conversation with others?

I think a lot of people, whether they have had any mental health problems or not, would relate to what you wrote. I have always felt socially awkward and although I've always had friends, as a child I would always have a few days out playing and then a few days where I needed to be on my own. I've never been able to have a wide circle of friends but have been happier with a few close friends; and having moved around a fair bit, I know there are "circumstantial" friends and kindred spirits - you hang onto the kindred spirits but not the others as you move through life.

I would say, though, that over the last few years, I have found "small talk" getting easier - perhaps that's partly just getting older, and partly having had therapy over the past couple of years - I've got more used to talking about myself, and from that I think I am beginning to find it easier to ask people about their lives too. It does take practice, as Lynn said, and it can be hard to make yourself reach out. One thing that I found helpful was going to a group of people pre- and post-hospital discharge - so I knew they wouldn't be judging me for any social awkwardness, and that made it easier to start practising being sociable again. Is there anything like that you'd be comfortable going to?

Lynn, your reply was great - thank you.