[LadyShadow]

Hello my fellow bipolar friends (or any others for that matter)

I was wondering if you feel emotionally isolated with your bipolar. I read about emotional isolation and it said that we have strong social media connections and we create superficial friendships like online ones. Are online friendships superficial?

I was wondering this because even though I have created a bond with many people on online, I still feel painfully lonely with the need for companionship on the inside. Do you feel the same way?

And can isolation also be a form of therapy? Monks do it often, and they seem to be at peace.

I was just wondering, do you feel isolated, and is it helping you or hurting you?

[thickntired]

Those are interesting questions. I have like 2 friends and I see them a few times a month so I don't think I'm isolated. My husband complains that I never leave the house. I did join a gym to get out more.

I think isolation could be negative if you forget how to interact socially. I think isolation can cause more social anxiety & panic. I freak out still before parties weddings family reunions etc. but I'm not unable to go outside if needed.

I also panic when ppl come to my house unannounced. Rarely will I answer the door or invite anyone over. But I don't feel lonely more like I'm protecting myself from sensory overload.

Peace,

TnT

i like what you say about isolation being a form of therapy.. that's quite possible and i can see where you are coming from with that

with me... no, i actually don't feel isolated- despite the fact that i only have a few online friends.. and none in the real world- i don't get the feeling.. oh i need for someone real face to face to talk too (well sometimes) but to be perfictly honest, i was never ever a people person... so this works..

I find myself sitting here and shaking my head "yes," that's all very true (for me). I
was never a people person either, but I enjoy nice people--can't be around the negative personalities often. They are really bothersome for me.

Love being alone and enjoy my home and my family and the communication here with
good people.

Never cared much for the pretense we sometimes see, but that's to be expected in any large group where social communication is there. No need to say more. You already know more than I do about these things.

Take care and feel good about being you.

[hamster-bamster]

I am not isolated now but I was before. I like it better when I am not isolated. Actually, much better. And I value online and RL friendships - both.

[hamster-bamster]

I should add that I go out of my way not to feel isolated. E.g. I have invited for lunch... my cat Tommy's former owner, who is a very nice man. I will enjoy cooking for him and we will have a nice time talking with food and wine. Next I will invite all the volunteers from the cat rescue agency that I know - 4 women. A lot of cooking. But I like it this way, and I like being with people. Reaching out to cat rescuers is not your conventional form of being sociable, but hey, whatever works, right?

[Trippin2.0]

I'm quite a social person always have been. But I have puposefully learned to isolate myself emotionally. I dont see the point in baring my soul to someone who has no clue as to what they're even looking at... And honestly its quite painful to experience. I'm like 'look how broken my soul is' and they are like 'what the hell is that?' so yes, its therapeutic for me to keep my bp related feelings to myself... My online friendships could never be described as superficial.

[Blue Poppy]

Hi there,

I have been alone a lot because of my husband's work and hobbies. Even though I have friends, they have their lives too, and I cannot rely on them to fill my time. I have developed many interests in order to fill time, but at the end of the day, I have experienced a lot of loneliness. I think that being alone is a trigger for my depression. I do much better when I am around people, even if I am just reading a book while at my parents. I am not conversing with them during this, but I am not alone.
I do long for more companionship than I have. Thank God that I have my dogs.

[canacrip]

Isolation is a really bad idea for me. I've got this brain that hates me. It's really bad company. Monks have control of thoughts and moods. They're less easily distracted by life and negativity. We try, but lack that level of control. I really do know those feelings, though. I also use a wheelchair, so there's this double layer of isolation, like I'm seeing life through protective glass and I can't reach out and touch it, but it's around me. It's easily to give in and isolate. As usual, what is easiest is not necessarily the best option. Hang in there!

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by Blue Poppy

Hi there,

I have been alone a lot because of my husband's work and hobbies. Even though I have friends, they have their lives too, and I cannot rely on them to fill my time. I have developed many interests in order to fill time, but at the end of the day, I have experienced a lot of loneliness. I think that being alone is a trigger for my depression. I do much better when I am around people, even if I am just reading a book while at my parents. I am not conversing with them during this, but I am not alone.
I do long for more companionship than I have. Thank God that I have my dogs.

Blue Poppy,

There is a stage in child development when kids engage in "parallel play". They are not yet playing with one another, but they do each their own thing alongside others, and it is important. Perhaps your reading a book while at your parents is something similar.

[MommaR]

I am something of a contradiction. I love to talk and Im very out-going. Im never afraid to speak out in class, I make "acquaintances" easily, definitely not shy! But when it comes to being really "close" to ppl, I really dont open up to anyone outside of my family. My parents and extended family are all terribly judgemental and I just have learned not to trust ppl passed a certain level. I definitely only feel "safe" at home, with my family and keep the rest of the world at arm's length.