this question is to those without family support.

just wondering how it's affected you in the long run- do you have a good support system and not need it?. or has it left you in a tough situation.

for me, my support circle is all ready very short- so not having the support of my own family (the people who i'm meant to rely on) really does hurt

think also for me not being wanted at events- christmas, birthdays, that sort of thing.. left me feeling useless and like i've somehow done something wrong.

what about you

[GAGypsy]

Hi again Shattered.

I have absolutely no family/no family support. All of my people died, the last being my grandma in 2001 and it's absolutely brutal. And I too feel like I've done something wrong. Like cosmically. I wonder what kind of monster I must have been like in a past life to be left here on this earth alone and NO BODY understands. Ever. I do have 3 kids, but that just makes it worse like why have I been left here alone to raise 3 kids? It's horrible.

[Gus1234U]

i am without any support IRL, and have various medical conditions, including the residual brain damage. one by one, my 'symptoms' or my personality have driven away all those who would have cared for me. i cannot blame them for this. it is, in fact, almost certainly what i preferred to tolerating the irritation of their presence.

in the end we are all alone... so why not start early, and learn how to live on one's own, and eventually to die. there is great opportunity in having no distractions in one's spiritual journey. this is why people have ever turned away to the cloistered life, the hermitage, the cave.

fortunately for me, i have sufficient to meet my needs for food and shelter, warmth and medicines. and i have learned ways to occupy my mind that are beneficial and not destructive. to me, this is the end my life was always aiming for. i am working toward a deep inner peace which 'passeth understanding'.

may you have Peace, and the causes of Peace~

[bluekoi]

shattered sanity, I hear you.

My mother's side of the family disowned us when she died. I was six years old. The rest of my family is dead, except for my brother who lives in another country. We barely communicate. Finally decided I was tired of reaching out and getting hurt.

So that leaves friends. I have learned when things get tough the only person I can count on is me.

I think what keeps me going is my animals. They are always there for me.

It makes me feel pathetic to read what I just wrote.

[cheshiregrins]

It's difficult and I know I'd be better off if I had support, no question. I do have my mom but she lives in another city and is busy. We skype but that's not the same as having an actual support system in my community. Here, it's just my psychiatrist.

[RichardBrooks]

I have no family and only one close friend. She is supportive, but I hate to burden her with my problems. I 'fired' my last therapist because she felt I needed to accept being alone rather than trying to understand why people refuse to accept me.
My thoughts stray from "I just want to be accepted" to "If people allow me no place in society, I will tear society down and build one that works."

Originally Posted by GAGypsy

Hi again Shattered.

I have absolutely no family/no family support. All of my people died, the last being my grandma in 2001 and it's absolutely brutal. And I too feel like I've done something wrong. Like cosmically. I wonder what kind of monster I must have been like in a past life to be left here on this earth alone and NO BODY understands. Ever. I do have 3 kids, but that just makes it worse like why have I been left here alone to raise 3 kids? It's horrible.

sorry to hear that

death is no fun.. i'm sorry you lost so many people

[lilmsusa]

I have no friends what family i do have are all drug addicts or alcoholics. I do have a 21 year old son but his life is just beginning i dont want to make him worry any more than he already does. he had to kick in my bedroom door i tried to overdose and i breathed in a couple pills. and at the hospital he had to sign all the forms. i just feel so unnecessary unwanted and alone. I am tired of waking up every day knowing i have nobody to support me and help me want to live again.

[Marylin]

Hello everyone!I have my mum,she is in a wheelchair and quite elderly,but she is very supportive.I also have my niece whom I see from time to time she is only 18.

I have an aunt and cousin I rarely see,but my mum keeps in touch with them.

I also have extended family that never contact us,and my mum's family live overseas.

When my mum dies I will be practically all alone in the world.I cut my sister out of my life a year and a half ago as she was emotionally and psychologically violent,she tried to bring about my death,drive me to suicide for the contents of my will.

It was much worse when she was in my life she was meant to support me and care but she was making my illnesses much worse with her violence!

It is hard to be alone and not have people who care there when you need them.

Also the lack of muscle when I need practical help is difficult.So far I have managed but I want to meet new people who I can give my love to and whom will love me in return.Marylinx

[Nike007]

Hello. I do have family, but they feel mental illness is something you can "get over" and will "go away on its own". But for me, since I don't have support at home I try to get support at school. Some school days are better than others in terms of support. But since I don't have support at home, it adds to my stress. Instead of having support, I feel I need to hide things from my family in order to feel safe but this adds to stress too. For me, I wish I had a more supportive family.

Social anxiety disorder, ASD, GAD, OCD, and panic disorder

Lexapro, 10 mg; Ativan 0.5 mg PRN

[CherryLipbalm]

My parents were never supportive when i was younger and I missed out on a lot, or atleast that's how i felt for a reallllly long time. As I got older, I've gotten a lot closer with my parents, especially with my mom and I adore her very much. My parents still support me financially and they really don't have to at my age. I love and appreciate them for it. A lot of people that don't know the real story will judge me and I honestly couldn't care any less at this point in my life. I'm happy with the love I have with my family and the few genuine friends I have that really care about me. I am always going to be me, i will continue to learn and grow but I'm not going to allow anyone to make me feel like I can't be myself. I would not be able to feel this way without a good support system. I encourage you to seek out your support system, however way you must, it's something that requires some work especially as an introvert but it's so worth it. And it's never too late!