[Neurontin]

I live in Isolation. I havent spoke to anyone in a few days. The only reason that today I will speak to someone is that I have to see my therapist at 9:15am....Im dreading it...Some days I just dont know why I do this to myself...Do you have problems with Isolating yourself from the world?

Yes, isolation is also a problem for me. Some days I either have to force myself to get out, or I will simply stay in all day, not talking to anyone. I think isolation is a big problem in many mental illnesses. It's unfortunate, because often talking to others (such as therapy) is very important to recovery.

[Perna]

I use to have problem with isolation, especially on weekends. The longer I go without talking to anyone, the more my head takes up space inside itself :-) and the thoughts get out of control. I need interaction with "reality"/other people or I get to be a scary mess up there. At one point I made a "rule" and would go out and talk to any one person (store clerk, librarian, etc.) and that seemed to be enough to keep me half-sane :-)

Isolation have been a problem for me. I do not mind talking to people as long as they do not talk back.

[Kiffygirl0793]

I usually don't mind being alone, I'm the type of person who would rather stay home and read than go to a cook-out. However, my daughter might be going out of state to college next year and that's when I'll start getting lonely.

[lonegael]

It gets to be a problem for me. I often feel like i spend so much energy just getting things to function here, that I am too wiped out for much social stimulation, even though I would like to meet with people. Then, having a kid who is a bit strange is not somehing that helps with this. Constant cleaning is something that just is a way of life now. Not much time for anything else.

[Neurontin]

Wow thanks for all the feed back. It is unfortunate that we go through this...and thats a good idea..that you speak to just one person a day..And I to dont mind being alone..I love it..Thanks again

[Neurontin]

hey thaks for all the feedback

[vamphile]

Originally Posted by Neurontin

I live in Isolation. I havent spoke to anyone in a few days. The only reason that today I will speak to someone is that I have to see my therapist at 9:15am....Im dreading it...Some days I just dont know why I do this to myself...Do you have problems with Isolating yourself from the world?

I did for months and now i'm so lonely in my isolation, the weekend is causing me a lot of anxiety stretched before me empty, sleepless and boring

[splitimage]

I have to be really careful about this. Apart from work, I isolated for years and it was a big part of and reinforced by my drinking problem. Socializing with people is really hard for me, but I'm forcing myself to do it. I go to lots of AA meetings, plus therapy groups at a hospital for the drinking.

But it's especially bad on weekends.

It's also really hard for me right now as I'm unemployed - I'm going IP for a month in a couple of weeks, so I can't start job hunting until I'm through with that, but once I'm back working, I know it will be better.

--splitimage

[ECHOES]

Originally Posted by Perna

I use to have problem with isolation, especially on weekends. The longer I go without talking to anyone, the more my head takes up space inside itself :-) and the thoughts get out of control. I need interaction with "reality"/other people or I get to be a scary mess up there. At one point I made a "rule" and would go out and talk to any one person (store clerk, librarian, etc.) and that seemed to be enough to keep me half-sane :-)

Wow, Perna, I can relate so much. Sometimes a grocery store clerk saves my weekend. If they only knew.

There are times I have startled the cat by speaking and breaking the silence. I don't mind the silence at all, but that is different from interacting to get out of my head. I wonder if the cat is in his head when I startle him...

[Rhiannonsmoon]

I love my isolation, it isn't a problem for me at all.

[Nsomthin]

yeah isolation is beginning to be a problem so im kind of forcing myself to get involved with others

[Amazonmom]

Yes, I isolate way too much. I never developed social skills when the rest of my peers did...I was bullied for years so I isolated to escape. Now I don't know how to be part of the world. I don't know how often to talk to people or what to say. I assume I will be ridiculed or hated when i state an opinion when in reality most people probably won't care.

[Neurontin]

Originally Posted by Amazonmom

Yes, I isolate way too much. I never developed social skills when the rest of my peers did...I was bullied for years so I isolated to escape. Now I don't know how to be part of the world. I don't know how often to talk to people or what to say. I assume I will be ridiculed or hated when i state an opinion when in reality most people probably won't care.

I can identify with youi 100%...hang in there..

[ladylazarus]

Isolation is a problem for me too. Though I am very comfortable alone. I have a very active imagination and plenty of distactions like music, books, internet and such to keep me content and ocupied. I'm pretty sure the root of this is when I was young my parents divorced and I went inside myself to cope. Lived in my own little world in my head...still do lol. I also should mention that on and off in my life I have had bouts with agoraphobia which doesn't help the isolation situation. Over time though the lack of human interaction does start to get to me.

[iluuvpups]

I isolate too, but much of the time, it's not on purpose. I just don't know where to go or what to do with myself. I live alone and work out of my home. I do need to get out to keep my sanity, but hesitate to go to movies etc by myself. But I really do need the company of others.

[kelleygreeneyez]

Oh my gosh - this is exactly what my fiance does... sometimes for several weeks in a row! Question: how do you cope with your loved ones when you're isolating yourself from the world? M hides away even from me and says he keeps himself busy watching movies and playing video games while beating himself up emotionally, feeling worthless. Then, when he surfaces again, I am the first person he seeks out. He feels very shaky and fragile but I usually have him laughing about something within the hour. He always says the same thing: "why didn't I just come to you instead of isolate myself from someone who makes me so happy??"

Please, anyone, what can I do to help him? We are in a very long distance relationship until next year, by the way.

[ECHOES]

He always says the same thing: "why didn't I just come to you instead of isolate myself from someone who makes me so happy??"

It is a big step to know this. Awareness is the first step to change. My guess is that when he is isolating, he can't remember this or can't believe it if he does even think of it. I have been there many times.

It would be helpful if he could accept this without judgement. It sounds like he beats himself up even with this awareness. Instead, he can soften it by saying, Oh yeah, I forgot how this works with me.

Ask him, when he is feeling good, if you could gently and non-judgementally remind him and reassure him of this. It might help. It might not help the first time, but it might eventually. It will also reinforce for him that you are there for him even when he is not there for himself.

[Princess_Obsidian]

Greetings,

I space my time out appropriately. I am a full-time, graveyard housekeeper, which can drain a lot of energy out of me. Especially when trying to perform my best on such sedating medication. I sleep during the day and only those who I have deemed worthing of knowing, know what exact time is best to get ahold of me.

I am a very private person, with an exception to my significant other, and would not want it to be any other way. Fate has graciously bestowed me with a beautiful luxury studio apartment in a brand new building, to which I couldn't be more thankful for.

I do not travel a lot, nor want to. I am quite contempt living in my little, cozy city, to the point where I would become homesick if I was gone too long, or was too far away from it.

I will be a bachlorette my whole life and look forward to everyday that I am. For some reason I feel so free from being so.

So, when it comes to isolation, such a word does not apply to my life. Yes, I am quite to myself, though, such has brought me so much enlightenment and overall joy, I feel, it is, indeed, the right life, for me.

I hope you can find your true self which will guide you into living your life of true happiness, as well.

Have a good one.

[bandit99301]

I isolate all the time. But when I do my mind becomes its own worst enemy. I think of ways to hurt myself or suicide. I have conversations in my head with other people that I know. I like to be alone. It does not bother me, but it does hurt me. I work in retail so I must talk to customers all the time. This I believe is my saving grace. Every day I must force myself to go outside when I am not working, but usually I lose the battle and stay inside. It takes energy to go outside, which I do not have. I much more comfortable to be by myself.

[hugs46]

I too isolate myself. If it wasn't for work I don't think I would talk to anyone. The weekends are the worst for me. Even though I like my own company and I like being alone from time to time, I hate being alone and not having any friends to do things with. Does that make any sense? I'm a very verbal social butterfly so to speak at work...maybe I make up for the loneliness there because I can't anywhere else. Hmmm?

Like others have said, isolation is not good....to much time on one's hands can lead to the old tapes playing over and over in our heads. I think I will make more of an effort to get more social outside of work. I've been thinking about joining a church.

I can't believe I am not the only one who feels this way. Thanks for the thread.

[Neurontin]

Bringing this thread back from the dead..lol......"ISOLATION"...My Friend...or Foe ??? So Is Isolation an issue for you?

[ECHOES]

I remember your thread!

Isolation is a friend in that it is a way of coping.
Yet it is also a foe because it doesn't get me what I want, same as other avoidance (and maybe pouting, for me) behaviors.

Being alone and enjoying being alone, like spending the day with a good book - that is a different story.

[tohelpafriend]

Originally Posted by ECHOES

I remember your thread!

Isolation is a friend in that it is a way of coping.
Yet it is also a foe because it doesn't get me what I want, same as other avoidance (and maybe pouting, for me) behaviors.

Being alone and enjoying being alone, like spending the day with a good book - that is a different story.

I agree, for me it is a way of coping. I am not bored at home, but I'd like to join the gym just to get out to a structured activity. I'm also still grieving and long periods of isolation are apparently normal. We learn from them.