[LifeIsCruel]

With my Chronic Depression, Acute Anxiety, and NO self esteem......I literally detest being around other people!!! I prefer being alone and living as a recluse, it is safe...as there are NO me comparing myself to others, being criticized, judged, and having to talk and appear "interested"......

I have no family....few friends...which is fine.

I go to work, limit interactions to work only, and go home. I try and shop at local 24 hour super center either late nights or early mornings. You know, this is not bad at all! Maybe others should try it.

[Hobbit House]

I also don't do well in crowds, they make me very edgy and irritable. Its like I can't trust myself to say the right thing or do the right thing in public.

[Hellion]

Isolation for too long just leaves me trapped with my own mind that can be my worst enemy with no one around, not exactly safe either due to the possibility of attempting suicide. Of course I can only deal with people so much to though, sometimes it is too much and I need more alone time than a lot of other people...but I couldn't do constant isolation.

Are you sure you don't just detest being around the wrong sort of people rather than detesting to be around all people.

[Frankbtl]

Hi Life, as far as I'm concerned there is absolutely nothing wrong with someone choosing to mostly be in their own company.............and not being the kind of person to have/want lots of friends, to be regularly socialising/in touch with/chatting with someone/anyone......so what!!! that doesn't make anyone any less than those who do.
I'm just wondering whether it's you choosing to stick to your own company though, or whether the things like depression, anxiety, self esteem issues are choosing that for you??
And if maybe you got a bit more help with those things you might want something a bit different for yourself???
Now maybe you are never going to want to be be the outgoing type..........and that's absolutely fine (!!) but maybe to have just a few people in your life who you don't feel the need to compare yourself to, who you know won'tunfairly criticize or judge you, who will interest you (less faking interest ) ???
Maybe there are some people in your life already who you could think "maybe..........??" about, and might be able to spend just a little more time with???
Or some people you could get to know just a little better???
And the being "critizised/judged" bit........well if whoever it is does that, doesn't see your good points (because you have got plenty of good points!!!) then time to move away from them anyway.........there will be people who will see them, I and some others on here have definately seen them!!!
But whether right now you're able to spend a little more time with others or not, I'm really glad you find yourself able to be with us, to talk with us.

Alison

I live by myself and single. I pretty much enjoy it and there are times when I like being alone just to refresh myself. But it seems like on the weekends, it can be hard just being by myself. Just yesterday and today I had no one to come over and no one called. I kept myself busy, but it didn't help a whole lot.

During the weekdays, it's nice just being alone for a couple of hours after work. At my job I work in a room by myself and it's nice to not to have to hear conversations and stuff. But there are times when there are problems and having to deal with complaining. And that's why I feel like it's nice to come home alone. But at night on the weekdays it would be nice to be able to spend a little time with a neighbor. But at the condo complex I live at, it's a lost cause, and I don't think it's going to get better. Although a phone call at night is OK. My only friend calls me on occasions at night and it's nice, but not as good as being together.

I only have one friend and he's old (78). He used to come over to see me on the weekends and some weeknights. Not anymore because he can't drive now. He would prefer to come and see me. I can go to his place, but I don't like the area plus I'm not crazy about his wife. He has come to see me by taking public transportation, but it's such a hassle for him. And it's a hassle for me to have to go to the station and pick him up.

I very much wish that there could be a mate or a real good friend around my age. That would my life so much better. That seems like a lost cause. There are supposed to be so many lonely middle-aged people around, but I don't know where they are. It would be nice if that problem could be solved.