How do you cope with loneliness?

Fishing is probably the worst activity to attempt to alleviate loneliness. Unless of course you have a fishing buddy, and he's a conversationalist.

or you find one of those talking fish. serotonin, I find you charming and quite the conversationalist. so what's the problem - only old ladies (like me) think you're cute, don't do so well with the peer group? I am hoping my experiences here will eventually translate to my feeling more comfortable in real life, and it already has - I feel like I have my posse with me wherever I go.

If you find me "charming and quite the conversationalist", prove it by posting nudey pics.

Sure! Of whom?

Yourself, but only if they are large.

Doh.

No, wait a minute, Doh!

no doh! this is a random flickr photo, don't go stalking this person thinking it's me!

Doh.

No, wait a minute, Doh!

ooh, very bright...

I work with tons of people but live alone and deal with depression, which can make me feel lonely. Yesterday was a hard day for me so I posted and responded in here, walked my dog, and called my mom. Sometimes I journal or listen to music. I used to take my dog to nursing homes and would like to do that again. I am so glad you posted!

I posted this here as this seems to be the most active forum, and it is a related topic.

As many of you know from first hand experience, loneliness can very often be a by-product of mental illness. I know that loneliness was both a precursor to and product of my illness, and for a long time my T was the only person I ever came into contact with.

I'm also a (chronic) loner by nature, and although it is possible to be alone without experiencing loneliness, sometimes the solitude of long term social reclusion can creep up on you and induce intense feelings of loneliness.

I try to cope with this by listening to music, using internet forums (such as this one), going out for a run, walk, a hike into the mountains or forest, watching TV, or out for a drive and some shopping.

Despite interacting with people via the internet, these are all solitary activities, and as a loner who suffers from social anxiety (with a suspected but undiagnosed social phobia), I find it very difficult to go out into a bar and socialise with complete strangers. In fact it's something I don't want to do, as I used to attempt it in the past and usually ended up sitting on my own consuming large quantities of alcohol, and alcohol consumption had the long term effect of exacerbating my depression.

Besides going to see your T, how do you cope with your loneliness?

All this leads me to the conclusion: it sucks to be lonely, to be sure, and it can be really hard to cope with loneliness -- but if you're here and communicating with people here, you are in fact doing something social, and not losing your social skills, and you're not as lonely as you might have been otherwise.

I hope that makes sense. My brain isn't functioning so well atm.

I read voraciously. I get online. I have some hobbies. Sometimes i text my T. I play with my dogs. Then i read some more

I used to force myself into social situations but i am over that. Im mostly happy alone.

I have a lot of trouble making and keeping friends. I think this is why I am always in a relationship. My boyfrinds end up being my only reliable source of companionship with another human being. I don't think this is healthy, but it is what it is.

I also fill the void with internet forums. Aside from that, if I really need to see people in the flesh, I go to the library to study. I usually see some of my classmates/acquaintances there, which is nice.

Volunteering is also a good way to break the loneliness. I used to volunteer at a cancer clinic and it was a very sociable job.

I am so freaking lonely. H is home in the evening and on weekends. My kids are young adults and barely home. I am unable to work right now. Sometimes I take sleeping pills just to get the day to pass quickly. I used to read but I can't focus much anymore. I feel awkward posting here because I am not interesting at all, but I read everything every day.