[Leia78]

Hi all.

I went to a support group, a general group labeled "mental health group" that my therapist holds. I went because I'm tired of being at home everyday and not having any friends. I wanted to connect with someone or some peoples who are similar to me.

I'm not judging anyone in the group. But, the members are just starting recovery from depression and are like newborns on the battlefield. I don't fit in because I've been fighting bipolar for about 10 years. I know the coping skills (even though I don't always use them) I've been taught a lot about depression, coping skills, mania, mixed mania. What I really want and need is a group that's diverse and has bipolar people and people who go up and down and are familiar with the battlefield.

I feel alone lately. I don't have a job. My husband is a teacher at a tech school and the runs his own business so his night schedule is erratic. My youngest daughter is getting ready for college. She leaves in the Spring to start at a university. The college thing with her has been so stressful and crazy. My daughter had a meltdown about made up situations she would think about college almost every day. Those are exhausting.

I want friends, someone to talk to. At this point, I would even settle for a penpal (email pal LOL)

Anyway, if you read this far, thank you for letting me vent.

Leia78, I know exactly what you mean. I'm feeling a need to see more people more often, too.

It's odd. Sometimes I'm not too lonely, but it really hits me depending on my mood. I'm in one of those super lonely moods right now.

About a month ago, I was so excited about the prospect of volunteering, but then that feeling plummeted. I know it will change again.

A while back, I used to go to DBSA meetings. I found DBSA to have participants with various experience levels with their illnesses. A lot of participants had bipolar, so I didn't feel like an odd person out. I went for a long time. It was great, but circumstances changed.

Have you ever considered blogging, like on WordPress? There are also online friends to be made there. What I enjoy about that community is that you can connect with people of various interests. Sometimes it is good to think about other things besides mental illness sometimes.

[eye2797]

I attend DBSA group. It has been nice to meet people like me and can understand what I going through.
Some of the members have been going for over 8 years to this group.
I did feel alone and not understood. Now I have friends that I can open up to and they can get it.

[*Laurie*]

I have been attending NAMI Connection groups for many years. For the past 14 months I have facilitated a NAMI group. In my experience with NAMI, almost all who attend the groups have been in the mental health system for a long time. For me and for many people I know, the groups are incredibly helpful (and free). Hopefully, there's a group in your location. Check out nami.org.

[Movingon69]

Take a look at Meetup.com. There are a lot of groups in different cities that are based on interests. If there's an activity you like to do maybe you can meet some people that have similar interests. This won't help forming connections with people dealing with mental health but you might make some friends that way