I was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder recently but obviously have been suffering with it for quite sometime. I was wondering if other people with this disorder struggle making friends.

I can't tell why I can't make friends. All I can say is I am so lonely.

Help please?

[Sometimes psychotic]

Sometimes people with the schizo family of disease have trouble recognizing basic social cues like facial expressions much like in autism. There are online tests you can take to find out if that's the case for you.

I too have trouble making friends but tested average in emotion recognition so there must be more to it. I went through a course of CBT and that helped me overcome a lot of self doubt. My therapist told me to try craigslist, strictly platonic. Its an easy way to start. I've met about 6 people this way but only one of them is what I'd call a friend so don't expect magic, there is still an element of chemistry that's unpredictable.

What I've found I like even more is meetups. Here you interact with a group of people, some are regulars and some are random and then you do an activity which can be anything you like. I'm in a movie and food group because who doesn't like movies and food!

Anyway, its not just you, good luck with finding friends!

[DePressMe]

I have problems making friends IRL because I don't leave my house much. I can make online frinds but have a problem keeping them long term because I have a bad spell and then lose the energy to write to them...they just sorta fade out. I can feel for you.....D.

[krzyk101]

I do not have any friends right now in my life and I am also very lonely. I moved to this small town about 7 years ago and have really struggled making friends. I do not go to work or school so I do not go much of anywhere except to the doctor and other medical appointments, the grocery and things like that. I find it is much harder in this small town to make friends. I did live in a larger city and had other MI friends through a community support program and drop in type club for the Mentally Ill that is not available here. My Case worker has mentioned my starting to attend NAMI (National Alliance for Mentally Ill) which meet once a month in a way to meet other people. I just have to try and make myself go there. I am alone so much that I am like a Hermit and it is very difficult and lonely because I never wanted to become a hermit. I hope you have some luck meeting some new friends and at least there are others and myself here to let you know you are not alone in this struggle.

Keep the hope and I hope things get better for you and for all of us struggling with loneliness.

[Astridetal]

The way I understand it s ocial difficulties are part of psychotic disorders. Some researchers even see them as the core of schizophrenia. Then again that's not het same as being friendless. Beign friendless is a consequence not a symptom.

I have had trouble making friends since I was a small child. moving around every 3 years, small for my age. Teacher's that were not very receptive to my sensitivity. it has always seemed like an uphill battle. I too have been diagnosed as schizo effective and bipolar. I am married however but I still feel lonely. I'm am encouraged by Psych Central and find it comforting as I have met so many compassionate and caring people on some of these forums.
warm thoughts

[Schizofred]

Im shcizoaffective and bipolar. I have aquaintences. Not too many close friends, im ashamed of illness and dont like to get into intimate friendships or to close to people.

[Schizofred]

Im schizo affective as well. I have some friends, im very socially awkward and being around people gives me anxiety.

[avlady]

I have schitzoaffective and other problems too. I am lonely, but i have a husband and son, who are not always home, my husband works and my son is in college. I think I'm lonely too because i live in a small town, but had more friends when i was growing up in the city. I can relate to being a hemit, not proud of it it is so painful.

[Mercury Man]

No friends but I hope to find some friends but I'm pretty used to being friendless, kind've like a loner but I do want companionships and its up to me to come up with the effort to make the connections, I think its gonna take a while though but I'll get there.

[eliralena]

I have a lot of friend but have issues staying in contact with them. I just don't like talking to people much. I think that might be part of schizoaffective disorder. I'm more of a loner.

[FairyGodMother]

You are not alone on this one. It's kinda funny cause I thought I was the only one who was dealing with this. I see now from being on this site that it is a common issue. I was always called a hermit or asked why I don't have any friends? My answer was "I don't know I'm just a loner". Not really knowing why I felt this way. Getting older has brought it more to my attention. It would be nice to have someone around but when I don't want them around would they still want to be my friend? It's like a double edge sword. An ongoing battle of good and evil.

For me finding a place like this I hope makes that question easier to answer. For you and everyone else out there don't give up your not alone.

[James_from_Idaho]

I to have found it very hard to find friends with the shcizoaffective.. The kind of friends I usually find are hazardous for me.. Cause I am so easy going, they just walk over me, or use me.. Sometimes having friends is a curse.. I do have a lot of family.. I don't speak to most of them.. I have a friendship relationship with one of my nephews.. I am thankful for that.. He is a nice kid.. Lately my anxiety has been so bad that I am afraid of people.. So, I don't meet a lot of new people.. I would like to go to church.. That is a great place to meet new people.. But I am even to afraid to go to church now.. Anyway, I hope you find some friends.. Loneliness is very hard..

[newtus]

its hard for me. always has been. since kindergarten. it only got worse and worse. since ive been out of high school ive isolated myself for 5 years now and counting. in my house/room. i live with only my dad and pretty much always have. but he is not home all the time either. i know absolutely no one else except family and i only stay with my dad. soo yea :/

[Mountainman2013]

Originally Posted by BornintoFreedom2012

I was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder recently but obviously have been suffering with it for quite sometime. I was wondering if other people with this disorder struggle making friends.

I can't tell why I can't make friends. All I can say is I am so lonely.

Help please?

I have no friends outside my wife and adult children. At least I think they're my friends. Anyway I'm usually afraid of people--paranoid probably--so I don't even make an effort at befriending others. I hear you about the loneliness--even with people around.

[Mountainman2013]

I'm just Outright afraid of people. Going to a store or sitting a parking lot is terrifying. I do think most people want to hurt me. Consequently, I prefer to mostly stay home.

[bluecupcake]

I have many acquaintances but few close friends. I have a large, loving, extended family though. I feel more comfortable being with my family/relatives than with friends. Also most of my acquaintances are married with children with lives of their own, so they don't have time to really socialize. I spend my time with my husband-to-be and our few friends and my family. I'm sociable and superficially friendly, but I don't let many people get too close to me. I don't want to deal with their issues on top of my own. lol. I'm content with just my love, family, and three friends. I also am on the loner side, preferring my own company to others. I don't think I'm lonely. But I do prefer to spend time alone or just with my love and family. My fiance is very supportive though and he's my best friend. I think if you have just one really good friend, that's more than enough. My mother is my best friend too.

[lil-angel-wings]

I am married and my husband is my only friend. I have acquaintance's. but they are not people that I would hang out with. Not because I do not like them, but because I do not trust people. I do not trust my self. I open my mouth and then regret every word. I do not know how to socialize with others. Even on line I have people I know a little, but I do not know anyone on a real true personal level.

I never had many friends growing up. I had one in grade school, but we did not really do a lot together. I had one in Junior High and High School. I have had none except those from childhood in my adult life. I have not done anything with them since I was in my early 20's before I had my first full-blown SZ Episode. However I have been in contact with them through email and writing over the years periodically.

I just find it very difficult to get close to people. And very few of my acquaintance's know anything about my illness. I simply do not share. Its always open mouth insert foot. Or get stabbed in the back.