[clarissadalloway08]

I feel hopeless, useless, and alone all the time. I know I’m not ‘alone’ because I have many friends who constantly remind me they’re there for me, but I still feel lonely because I’ve tried to explain my sadness at the world (everything - the state of America, the news, my personal life, the personal lives of others) and they don’t seem to understand why I feel so acutely all the time. They say, Why can't I just read a book, go for a walk, try something new?

I haven’t felt good in a very long time, I can’t remember the last time I genuinely smiled or laughed, and every day feels like it has no direction. I’ve always believed the universe takes care of us, but right now I don’t know when I’ll ever feel happy or good. I'm sick of my self-pity but I feel too awful every waking moment of the day.

[Skeezyks]

Hello clarissadalloway08: Yes, this world can be a pretty depressing place. There've been a number of articles recently in the PsychCentral newsletters with regard to highly sensitive people. Perhaps you are one of them. I'm sorry you are feeling so down. Hopefully being here on PC can be of some comfort & some support.

[eliz214]

I definitely know how you feel! I also feel "alone" all of the time, even though I have the support of my mom and boyfriend, no matter who I'm physically with I still feel empty and alone. It's so weird. I haven't felt this way in years and it's kind of scary.. Usually I'm pretty resilient but this depression is lasting a while and I'm afraid it won't end. I can't believe this is what my life is actually like right now

We just have to keep reassuring ourselves that nothing is permanent! And if we were happy once, we can get to that place again for sure. As humans we are constantly growing and changing, so this can't be forever.

[LucyG]

Are you taking any meds? If so, google them to make sure depression isn't a side-effect as it is of a lot of meds including antidepressants [really!!], anti-anxiety, and meds for other health conditions.

If that isn't part of your problem, you could use amino acids to regulate your brain chemistry so you feel better. Amino acids are used by the brain to produce the neurotransmitters it needs so you can function. One amino acid I find very helpful so I don't feel like life isn't worth living is DLPA that is used to produce dopamine and epinephrine which is what makes you feel good. 5-htp is also important as it puts serotonin in the brain and gut. A good book on the subject is Heal with Amino Acids by Billie Sahley that goes through what amino acids helps what.

Here's a good brain function quiz that shows the symptoms associated with each neurotransmitter. http://drjolee.com/Brain-Function-Questionnaire.pdf

I also want to just say that I've had bipolar 2 for 48 years, and was on meds for 13 years. I've been using amino acids and the mineral lithium orotate to control it for 9+ years now, and am doing much, much better than when I was on meds. The reason why I'm doing so well is because I'm giving my body the nutrients it needs to function.