Hi, I don't really know where to post this, but maybe someone can give me some suggestions? I'm new on this site. I'm 40, married female, have one child. I guess I have dealt with depression throughout my life, but lately it is worse. I moved away from all my friends and family about 10 years ago and since then I haven't been able to make any friends. I am very much an introvert and socially awkward. I have low self-esteem. Even when I try to make friends, people don't want to remain friends with me because I guess I'm not outgoing enough. My relationship is not great either so there is not much support there. I feel so lonely all the time, and generally like a big loser whose life is going nowhere. I seem to be incapable of making any lasting friendships. What I'd like to know is if there is a site somewhere where I can try to find a support buddy, someone that I can email daily back and forth to share and try and help each other through this hard stuff. I'm not really familiar with different sites or forums, so if anyone has more info on that, that would be great. Even a 40 plus forum, maybe that would be a start for me. Thank you.

[Turtleboy]

Hi z123, i'm sorry to hear of your troubles. I too suffer from depression and am very much an introvert, i have trouble making friends and moved away from my family also. This site is amazing i suggest you make posts until you can use the chat, there are a lot of very friendly people there that really brought me out of myself feel free to message me any time you wish (even just to rant) and i will lend an ear, i have gotten so much since i joined here and would love to give back, hope you find what you are looking for and get comfort from this amazing community.

[roads]

Hey there, z123, welcome to PsychCentral! I've been here since last August, and I hope you find all the support and generosity that I have. I was desperate and shy when I came, but these folks were so welcoming that I quickly felt brave enough to try it out--and I'm so glad I did.
My psychiatrist was the one who suggested I come here, so I had that support going for me too. I'm still a mess, but all together much better .

Until you connect with people here, you might make a habit of posting here: http://forums.psychcentral.com/showt...233212&page=40. It's a thread on this depression forum where you can check in and let everyone know how you're doing. Also a good way to introduce yourself to folks without really saying, "Hello, this is me" so in-your-face. I don't know about you, but I'm never comfortable introducing me.

Keep coming back!! Keep posting!! We're glad you're here!!

Roadie


p.s.
In re-reading your post, maybe I should mention that what you've said about yourself at least 90% of us have also said about us. We're not here because we're in the headlines of the social pages. In general--we're lonely, scared, and don't know where to turn for help--that's why we're here ... so if that's you too, welcome.

We're here for each other, and now you're one of us! How cool is that?