trying to fill the days and social isolation

I currently do not work and have become quite socially isolated. Can anyone relate?

I volunteer a couple of afternoons per week, but apart from that do not have much to fill up my time. I'm getting worried that I've lost a lot of social skills.

I struggle with the same thing...I can relate and it is hard. I talked to my therapist about it today. Do you have a T?

Sorry to hear that you struggle with the same thing.

I'm on a waiting list to see a private therapist at the moment. I've been trying for years to get help through the NHS, but they said that there aren't the resources although it seems it really depends on luck and the area that you are in.

Yes, a challenge I've had to work with after many years of just the opposite. It's hard. Glad to hear you are volunteering. You need some type of regular socialization too and creative outlets. Whatever floats your boat. Hang in with it! You'll figure it out, I know. Maybe another club or class, or cause, etc that you can handle, etc. Some goals, routines, and routines departure. Some laughs. Be well, my friend!

Keep trying and checking resources. There is a lot of info in forums here on obtaining services and outlets for therapy. Take care!

I'm not sure what the size is of the place you're living in, but find a good local cafe. It will take a while to become a regular, but cafes are great places to approach people and be approached.

I found volunteering okay and did it for years. Recently I found a craft class around the corner from me. I have been going there a few months now and I find that I am not as spooked as I was at the start. I am also making things which feels good.

I have fallen into the trap of playing too many games on Face book. I would hate to state the hours I spend on there.

I can really relate - it's something I really struggled with for years, and still struggle with to an extent. I'm having a tough time at the moment as I'm not working and am on medical leave from school until next Jan., so I know all about having too much time on my hands.

Volunteering is great - I do that too.

Exercising. I've joined the Y and am going there regularly to work out, which helps my mood, and I'm starting to get to know people.

Café - that's a great idea. There's a coffee place I go to regularly and all the staff know me, and they're fine with me hanging out there for a few hours, knitting or reading. I may not talk with any of the other patrons but at last I'm out of my place, and people watching can be kind of fun.

Meetup.com This is a bit scary at first, but I've started going to meetups. If you're in a large city - you probably have a meetup site, with lots of groups. The good thing about them, is that at the events everybody is there to meet new people, so everyone is really friendly and talks.

You might also try googling social phobia support groups in your area. There's one in my area, that I learned about when I went to a CBT group for social phobia. I keep thinking I'll check it out - except it's downtown and kind of hard for me to get to.

Good luck.

splitimage

This could have been written by me - i'm in the exact same position. I had to quit my volunteer job as the people there were real meanies and i thought my time would be better valued elsewhere. You're doing the best you can and that's a good sign that you're determined not to let your problems win. Does your mental health team know of a day centre that you can visit to help structure your days better? The focus would be more supportive than therapeutic i should think. We have that in the UK but i'm not sure where you are so i can only suggest looking for an equivalent. I find trying to be helpful here and being an active part of this community (even if it's only online) makes me feel better. I hope you find something that helps you feel more fulfilled.

I am also in the UK, but in my area there's only a drop in for one morning a week - you pay £2 to cover the cost of tea or coffee and the hire of the hall and occasionally they have quizzes or something creative. I've just started going, but I feel that its not nearly enough.

Sometimes at the weekends I don't see anyone, so this weekend on Sunday I thought I might go to a Unitarian church service to see what its like.

im in the usa

im in the same position. no job. no college.
im extremely socially inept . i do know that about myself.
on top of not having good ones i have lost a lot of social skills.
i wish i could help but for 5 years now i have not done much but stay inside my house.

i wish you luck
i know i need it as well.

I can certainly relate and I have no easy way to change things. We've lived here 10 years and are way, I mean way, out of town. We had originally planned to get involved in community groups, etc., that is, until my husband was diagnosed with bladder cancer. I worked until 2006 then the stress got to me and I was advised to quit work. Things were ok for a while, my husband and I spent a lot of time together. But this situation has changed. Last year he went into kidney failure and that has recurred several times. This last time he was hospitalized I was so afraid that he would not come home. So my role now is caregiver. He doesn't get out of bed except for bathroom trips. He has a bag for his right kidney and a bag for his left kidney. Rather hard to get dressed. He's been very depressed but this seems to be a bit better. A trip to town is 1/2 hr---one way, plus what errand time. And there are only 13 families in the area where we live. Isolated??? Yes!!!!! But I want to spend every minute I can with him.....and I have no idea how long that will be.

Hi there! I can relate!!... I'm so sorry to hear that you are going through this...I started suffering from Agoraphobia 4 months ago.

I use to at least get outside to restaurants... and sometimes I would make it to a movie or a coffee shop or even a walk to the park... I would still have high anxiety to the max but I did get out... but... now I can't leave the house... I'm starting in home therapy... and I'm grateful for the support that I'm getting. I hope that this helps me with my fears. because just going to a Dr. apt can mess me up for days... at a time... and I hate having to go out and get groceries. I'm on meds and I take them faithfully but other than that my anxiety is acute. I do understand. I read a lot and I watch a lot of stand up and I try and get some sun even if I just sit in my backyard.

I wish you all the best