Do you push friends/social groups away?

It just dawned on me this morning I have this history of pushing social interaction away. I no longer see any friends from my youth other than 1 friend from high school. Over the years I had made new friends, joined several social groups only to get a feeling of being too closed in by it and therefor faze myself out of the group. I'm wondering if it's typically a result of depressive/anxious symptoms I've experienced.

Any thoughts? Similar experience?

I do have a similar experience, and I absolutely hate it because during my depressed state, I sometimes feel unloved, unwanted, dislikes, irrelevant (though others are showing the opposite, it's just my thoughts and feelings while depressed) and as a result of that I become withdrawn and I want to be left alone. So I stop answering phone calls, texts, when people visit i stay in my room. I decline any and all invitations (mainly because I don't want to be awkward, the "Debbie downer" and don't have the energy to fake it. Therefore, I'm pushing people away. Ironically, I feel very lonely. During my hypo manic state, I return to these people but that also feels awkward because of how I acted before.

Thanks for posting and giving me an opportunity to share with you.!

I've always had a hard time maintaining friendships. I am no longer friends with anyone from high school. I'm no longer friends with any of my husband's friends. My only two girl friends are my sisters in law, and by default her husband and of course my brother. Social media makes it easier for me these days because I have a lot of trouble talking on the phone. But I'm not friends with any of my old coworkers either. Some of that is distance, though. But I dunno, I just have such a hard time sharing my life with people.

Maybe I should add a part 2 to that question. How can we stop that cycle?

I do that as well. I have friends and belong to social groups that I withdraw from when I'm feeling depressed or anxious. The second question...we could consciously realize what we're doing and push through it and do it anyway. I've found that when I do that, I feel better. Best wishes.

I've had many limitations, the physical conditions along with BP II and c-PTSD.
This all limits how much and how often I can participate. I seem to use up any energy I have in simply attending to my marriage and helping my elderly mom who lives with us.

More energy would be helpful for getting in socialization.

That said, I also feel a bit awkward in large social groups. I've had some very insensitive remarks made to me because I am "disabled." Some people think one cannot be disabled an intelligent. I also tend to feel somehow inadequate and "marked," like a tattoo on my forehead sets me apart. My life is not "normal" and I feel awkward in some groups.

How do I stop the cycle?

I'm not sure. If I did not have challenging physical/medical issues, it might be easier to have more energy to do more? Right now, my meds also have a lot of side-effects to endure. I lose my balance quickly. If/when I can take on extra, I think it's best to "just do it!"

I need to think more about this. Great topic!


WC

WC I'm sorry you've been made to feel this way in social settings. Unfortunately our society can be so very judgmental. I find you highly intelligent and informative and always look forward to reading your posts

Another thought on this social avoidance topic, would being on the right med combo help this? Like I'm not on anything at the moment and I'm either "on" or "off" socially. I'm either looking up bands coming up in my area or a bar to go to with friends (not that they want to go that's just my happy state) or I decline all invites. Rare is the even day where I socialize normally (like yesterdays lunch out with my friend).

I also wonder this.....when I have socialized in a really fun way, activity I haven't done in a long time or one that makes you feel young then after there's this huge let down. Again that all or nothing mentally.
Have no idea if I'm making any sense lol

I've felt being hyped up with my friends, only to feel down the next day. I'm introverted and shy, so it takes a lot to be with people, even for fun times. I usually need to recharge.

I haven't seen my friends in a long time. They are usually busy with school, work, or other friends. That's okay with me. I keep in contact with them on Facebook for the most part.

I've tried to meet people with similar interests, but something seems to be off with that. I think differently sometimes, I guess.