I think this is tough because the isolation starts to feel "normal" with the idea that you are saving others from your emotional drama etc.

I have two thoughts. The first is that recognizing there is a problem to be solved is half the battle. You are doing that here with this thread, and I applaud you for that! You are reaching out within the context of a safe place. Good work on this! The second thought is carefully but slowly widen your circle of loving, supportive people.

I too am trying to move out of a place of isolation. What happened while I was feeling extremely depressed was that I attracted the wrong people. Instead of supporting me and helping me to feel stronger, they were more like vampires sucking out any strength I had. So I think it is VERY important to be careful about new friends and relationships.

Meanwhile, keep working on yourself. I am now at the place where I don't want to be isolated, and I think you are, too. What I am doing is observing in my daily life who makes me feel good and who makes me feel not so good. Some people do have a stigma about MI. Well, I think a lot of people have a stigma about MI.

You want to keep a circle of supportive, open-minded, loving people around you. Slowly you can widen your circle. Don't rush it. Most of all...practice being kind to yourself. You will be fine. I am certain in time your loving circle will grow wider and wider. Good Luck.