I Can’t Reach Out, I’m Depressed

Hi Natasha, Thank you for your positive and encouraging words.

Hi, I just wanted to say thank you for spending all the time you do making the articals for the people that do read them and get curious.

This is how I feel today. Lonely and sad. And then I started telling myself I was lonely because no one in the world cared or wanted to see me this weekend. That's not even true. I got invited to several things this weekend. Instead I stayed on my couch for 2 days in self pity and loathing. I'm still not telling anyone. Everyone gets too worried.

I reach out to family but no one responds at all and my self hate gets worse.

I agree that reaching out is essential and more successful channels are needed. Thanks for doing this blog and making information and connection possible. I live in the UK and I have been to my doctor and other health professionals desperately in need of help after 25 years of recurrent suicidal depression (I'm only 33 but this is no life) and despite repeated attempts, I still haven't received anything more than the same mood diagnosis form over and over again. If you are in the UK reading this, I would say try to get private help while you are waiting for the NHS to hear you.

I have tried all my life to find friends who were kind, warm and safe. I never been able to find that. I have no idea why. My family is now grown and I just fought serious late stage cancer. My husband may be cheating on me with other men. I can't be sure. My birth family abused me and they still aren't kind but have tried since I almost died. I'm only 50. What happened to my life? I feel as if my world had fell apart.

Hi there, I have a combination of chronic pain from spinal issues as well as borderline personality with the crippling anxiety and depression and as such I'm unwell enough to be classed as disabled and long term sick but not enough for anybody to really help me. The National Health Service has told me they've done what they're supposed to and that I don't qualify as crazy enough to warrant more support. I struggle to talk about the things that hurt me because it hurts me to even think about them. Someone begged me to call a helpline and I left that call feeling worse than when I started. When the crisis team were looking after me it was on my records for them to not ask probing questions because I'd fall to pieces. I act super positive around people and last week had a chronic pain group education day where I feel I made a tit of myself and felt it confirmed when the others avoided me.
So that leaves me to people I trust. There aren't many of those, I've always wanted to help others and it seemed to make me give off some aura that I'm a doormat and have people take advantage of that and then ditch me when they have what they want. Some people do want to help, but they've got their own lives and if I can't predict when I'm going to take a downward turn then I can't see how they can clear a schedule themselves. I hate myself for how whiny and negative I sound and so it just makes me feel worse again! Past 6 weeks in a row I've asked everybody I know in the area several times to just meet up with me, for lunch, a drink, don't care. I'm alone, I hurt physically and mentally and nobody wants to help me and there's only so much I can do by myself.
I'm not reaching out on here as I know it's pointless, for a start I'm in the UK. I don't read blogs and I refuse to post negative stuff on my Facebook etc. I've even learnt to get some of a thick skin from where the people I've tried to help have turned on me and so I have to keep my distance. I made a hell of an effort to try and make new real life friends but I don't have a fun life to share with people and when I tell people I'm disabled they don't believe me, or forget and want to do something I'm physically incapable of. Thought I'd made a friend a couple of months ago but in less than a week he told me to stop being frigid, that he knew I wanted to sleep with him. I can't have sex so I find that hard to believe. He wanted nothing more to do with me, and yeah it's all well and good to say I deserve better or that he was just a prick, but I'm losing my faith in humanity and probably would've lost it entirely by now if it wasn't for the one amazing friend I made online who was everything I want to be, that I went to see every weekend even though it killed my back, until she passed away 6 years ago. I'm 25 years old and shouldn't have this cynicism, but I assure you that every shred of it is justifiable for the crap that the people that I've asked for help have screwed me over when I have done all I can to be there for the people who need it.

I know the feeling . Not being able to reach out or trist anybody when you REALLY need it. Im working on it. Have ben diagnosed with longlasting depression for eight years now. Been on medication. New psychiatrist suggests bipolar something. It worries me. Trying to figure out what this means I came across this page. Some of the posts here makes sense to me.

I don't think commenting on what you are reading (a blog) is inappropriate - unless you are asking for direct help from the ether. If I was truly not well, I wouldn't be reading. Anyway, majority of folks aren't really equipped to deal with a crisis - and that's the good ones. There are some truly vile people out there who have mental issues of their own that you gave to watch out for. I think we have all come across them. The really nasty people who spread nasty rumors and misinformation for personal gain. The sociopathic types. You may think you are unwell, you may feel empty, but remember, this is a passing thing for you. For sociopaths - they are living embodiment of emptiness and soulessness. No matter how bad things get, I would never want to be THAT.

I tried to reach out to a friend, but he will not respond. He continues to mask. He could not mask with me because I have a relative who is bipolar. I do not think that he is on medication, and he was not aware that his symptoms would come out when we would have a conversation.

When I try reaching out, I tend to get a lot of reply's being similar to "happiness is a choice, move on". How should I respond to that?

I still fight with reaching out sometimes. In the past, I have found myself saying inwardly "I am not that depressed yet, I don't need to call anyone unless I get worse." The problem is, once it gets worse it gets much harder to summon the strength to call someone.
I had a bad experience with my first two "professional" care workers, so I understand feeling belittled or dismissed by a "professional", but I swear to you that is the minority in the mental health profession. Do NOT let the idea that you MIGHT encounter this behavior stop you from reaching out when in need. My first time seeing someone led to a few head nods and a prescription for Zoloft in less than 20 minutes. The second was one of those trying to prove everyone was lying to get out of work.
I have had many different case managers/therapist/nurses or whatnot,since and but for those first two, all have been people who act from a true desire to help others in need recover from or manage their lives and health.
If I hadn't stop resisting help after those first two encounters, I would more than likely not be typing this. And that is not being melodramatic.
It won't be instant, and it may force some showdowns with pretty tough thoughts about life and your own view of yourself, but you can only improve your life by participating.
I cannot advocate confiding in a family member or friend, because a lot of us have/had or will have more slightly mental/uncaring or derisive folks in our gene pool. I hope that you have someone you care for who you can open up to, but if not keep searching.
If you feel burned by relatives or peers, call an anonymous help line and talk to someone. Find a .org prevention or help chat room. Sometimes just having an ear can make a huge difference, even in the moment.
I'm sorry for the loooong arsed reply, but I am coming out of a slight haze of indifference that has clung to me for the last several months, and this was one of the first blogs I came across, and there was such a negative reaction to reaching out that I had to say my peace.
The gist is this. If you think you are bipolar, or are suffering from any other mental illness, get help. In my case, it was THE single greatest factor in my continuing effort to live and find moments of joy and clarity in this life. My sincerest wishes for relief and the recovery of contentment to us all.

Catsrgreat
I had a very bad experience ALMOST reaching out to another couple too. I am 45 and a my wife and I have other couples over for dinner and conversations. We had a couple over and it was shortly after the elementary school shooting. The other couple suggested that they should publish a list of the names and addresses of people who have been diagnosed with a serious mental illness like schizophrenia or bipolar just like they do with sex offenders. That way everyone would know who they are and where they live since they obviously will become a menace to society in the near future. Since this couple socializes with many of the same couples we do. I am very hesitant to reach out to people in my social group.
I do agree with Natasha that I should learn to reach out. However, I have not out of fear after this conversation. Maybe if I can find a local support group to attend I may find a way to reach out. The only problem is that I live in a pretty small city and it seems like everyone knows each other's business and gossip is main topic of conversations.

My lover goes into these deep depressions. He tells me to go away, he doesnt want to see me, he wants a break, he cant cope, he feels worthless. I try so hard to help, but I cannot reach him, he doesnt want to know. I tell him I love him so very much, but he is old and unemotional. He still rings me every day, but is very cold. I feel so ill and upset when this happens, but he wont let me in. It has been a month this time, and I feel as though I have aged 10 years. He has come back again and is loving again, but every time it happends, I feel as though part of me has died. I love him so much, but I am at a loss to know what else I can do. It is an ongoing situation. Canyone help, I would be most grateful. Patricia

Today, I texted 3 friends and ended up going out shopping with one and for coffee with another. I feel so much better. Such good advice!
It is so easy to isolate myself but a lot more fun to be with friends.
It wasn't easy to get off the couch, no regrets!
Do it!

I have been boxed in my entire life. Labeled since the age of eleven, followed by an unbelebable series of tragedies to most, my family has been become the ultimate bearers of denial. I am not only told by actions but words and isolating behavior that I am untrustworthy, and irrevacobly damaged. No one will speak to me. I've commited no crime, no sin against them. I've given up hope more times than I can count. Only to wake up each morning and know there must be a bit left in me- because of all of us who suffer depression, anxiety, agoraphobia, the barbs and rejection of those who can't begin to contemplate what we go through; we're still here. It's amazing and a horror all at once- not to be dramtic but to tell the truth. Reaching out for so many is a futile thing. Something we've found the strength to do ( for me many times) and bared the brunt of rolling eyes, false diagnosis, humoring and sometimes being treated as nothing more than a number. What do you do when those closet to you seek to use you, to boost their own status, use you as an excuse for all. Claiming to care for you as if you were physically and completely handicapped. The people you should be able to trust most firng gossip and lies in your communtity/ "Given up to God", "retarded" sums it all up. My question- what is there when this has been your experience? How do you trust? Where do you look for help when this is what you've lived?

Not only is reaching out via FB one-sided, but it can be very harmful. More than once I've made the mistake of using FB when I was afraid to make a phone call, only to be shattered by hurtful comments made by people who had no idea what I was going through.
I'm not good at reaching out, but finding a real person is so much better than going it alone!

George, I completely agree with you. One time, I made the error of reaching out during a crisis to some folks who had their own family troubles with bipolar, and in fact I had provided emotional support previously. The wife talked to my husband and repeatedly told him that I was likely to murder him by stabbing him while he slept! Where did THAT come from?! I have never harmed anyone, and I was well into my 40's. I have avoided the couple ever since, although the husband bears only a little blame and is my husband's best friend. I think disclosing bipolar is too risky and I'm sorry I did it.

I agree reaching out is important. But I feel it's necessary to acknowledge that it's a double edged sword. Few things are worse than making the effort to reach out to people you love and get "advice" that implies that you're being weak. Sometimes this can even come from professionals. Stuff like "you're being dramatic", "Yeah, most people feel like that", "I know what you mean" (when clearly you're dealing with a person that hasn't experienced severe depression) and so many more.
When I am deeply depressed, and get one of those responses, I usually feel way worse and truly alone in my feelings. So my advice is to reach out, but only to someone that you're absolutely sure that will understand. Otherwise just hang on tight.

I cried all day every day, went to bed crying, woke up crying, for two and a half years. It wasn't until I made an attempt to end my life that alarm bells rang and I was whisked away to proper care. Please don't let this happen to you, because if I reached out sooner I would not have had to go through what I did for such a long time.

LOL, here I am, doing some not so good reaching out by commenting on a blog!!!
I am an introvert and don't know what level of contact is best for me. I'm not sure if I am just guarding my limited energy by spending more time alone when severely depressed. I have plenty of support, so idk why I comment on blogs ;-)

I can't agree with you more. One sided communication is safe but sorry and doesn't accomplish much for long. Those people who receive these indirect cries for help aren't always the best qualified, or they really can't care about what you are experiencing because they don't know you well enough. (Not everyone can be empathetic on a moments notice.) Tossing your cares to the wind is admittedly a fragile cure. Especially when your loved ones are as burned out on your condition as you are.