Impossible to make friends...

It feels impossible to meet the kind of people i'd like to have friendships with. I feel uncomfortable, like I can't relate to other people and just emotionally detached. I'm social at work and people like me but in my personal life i'm a social hermit. It's been years since i've spent time with a friend and those times were when I was drinking (I don't drink at all now.) I'm starting to think that people who are also suffering from some form of mental illness would make better friends.

It is difficult to meet those that would empathize with
us--a quote: "If you would find gold,you must look
where gold is." Try 'Meetups.com',they have groups
all over world with various interests you may like.
The interest is a good lubricant for friendships to
develop,so don't be too pushy,let things develop
naturally as they will.
Good Luck,
BLUEDOVE

That quote is so true! Thank you. I'll have no problem in the pushy department. Haha I'm the anti-pushy.

I'm the same way. I never seem able to relate to others very well, and being in a rural area I've never had interests of those around me because I always liked to explore. I was into alternative music back in the 80s in high school before anyone around here had even heard of it and was just listening to what was on the local radio. So I've never really had any close friendships, especially after school when everyone I did know went their separate ways. I'm not a drinker, either, and it seems no one really wants anything to do with you if you're not. I suppose to those who are drinkers we're just not any fun. Just wanted to let you know you're not alone... Have gone through it all my life so far.

I've felt similarly. The friends I have and had earlier in life were often friends of vicinity in a sense, I went to school as a kid and I met these other kids and we sort of just remained friends out of that, but now that I'm older and my sense of self is more defined and I know more about myself, finding people to relate to, people feel a connection with on a friend level is really hard. I don't see life the way most people do, and I'm sure many on here feel similarly, with many of us suffering from various things, from this perspective, it is hard to see life the same as people who don't deal with similar issues.

I hear ya! I don't want to be fake and put on an act to make friends. I don't feel the need to portray a picture perfect lifestyle. I like people for who they are, not what they have.

I am the same way. At work I've always been in sales or something involving dealing with people. Now I am a certified peer specialist helping others recover from mental illness. It is quite rewarding. Yet in the evening I am a hermit and don't go out much. In fact I had a relationship end a little while ago and having trouble with the alone part. I will get used to it but it's hard for a while.
I find I am like a loyal dog I do good in a relationship because I am not a go out kind of person either. My parents are the same way and I think it's not as uncommon as we think. Media is always making it appear that we're suppose to be social butterflies when I don't think that's the case for a lot of us.
I do know that things like Psych Central and Facebook help with the isolation. I am on the computer more when I am single trying to get that feeling of lonliness to subside.

Hello Insidelookingout,

I'm feeling this way as well. It has been a long time since I had a good female friend(s) to really talk too and hang out with in person. I have issues with trusting and this is definitely getting in the way of meeting new friends and calling up old friends from the past. I feel different after going through severe bouts of depression. I fear judgement from others of all that I've gone through and still suffer from. Anxieties gets the best of me and I stay put in my comfort zone.

A work in progress to get out of my comfort zone and to handle my anxious mind with better coping tools. One day at a time leading up to meeting new people and trusting.

Lots of helpful books on this subject.