[ajdskfjhajsdhfjkahs]

How can I get by without a strong social support network? I've never had a best friend/significant other, close friends, or family members that I feel comfortable with. I am also drifting away from my therapist (which can never truly fill the role of a friend).

I was socially isolated for most of my childhood and believe this has spurred interpersonal difficulties. I have a very hard time filling "connected." I do not know how to behave in social gatherings/events.

I have tried to make friends but once I get rejected, I tend to get severely depressed. I do not want to feel hurt again.

I want to get through college and find a good job, but how can I do this in my circumstance?

[Sunflower123]

I'm sorry you're having such a tough time. I've been to 10-12 therapists, no joke, before I found a therapist who is worth her weight in gold. She really helps me a great deal. I encourage you to keep looking for one who can help you. I want to lend my support. I'm here if you need to talk. A good t and pdoc plus support here on PC can be the foundation for a support system. There's also a crisis line you can turn to besides the resources here is to type 741 741 and type hello. You can text with them. Best wishes.

[Skeezyks]

Hello ajds...: Well... I don't know as I can really answer your question. I'm an older person. And I live a pretty-much solitary lifestyle by choice. Perhaps the answer to this is to work on your tendency to become severely depressed when you're rejected. (Perhaps this is not the time to be drifting away from your therapist?) Beyond that, my personal opinion would be that the only way to make friends is to get out there & be around people... preferably people with whom you share some common interests. And as far as getting by without a strong social support network goes, my personal non-professional perspective would be that this is really something that is a matter of personality. Some people (like me) just don't really want or need much in the way of social support. Others do. I doubt that's something one can really change consciously, although it may change on its own over time. When I was much younger, being social was much more important to me than it is now.

I see this is your first post here on PC. So... to PsychCentral… from the Skeezyks! May the time you spend here be of benefit.

PsychCentral is a great place to get information as well as support for mental health issues. The more you post, & reply to other members’ posts, the more a part of the community you will become. Plus there are social groups you can join & chat rooms where you’ll be able to connect with other PC members in real time (once your first 5 posts have been reviewed & approved.) Lots of great stuff! So please keep posting!

[952p65823]

I feel your pain to a certain extent. I am at a demanding job in a new city, but because of my job, I don't really have time to even try to meet people.

I think a lot of people deal with isolation by making friends online. I have one IRL college friend who was/is very involved with livejournal and fandom. She got involved when she was out in Arizona for grad school. Are you on tumblr?