Social Isolation.

Hello everybody, this is my first post on this forum so please forgive me if this is posted in the wrong place.

I am a 19 year old male currently dealing with social isolation. I have been dealing with this issue well before the start of COVID-19, I would say since the age of 15, but I don't want to discuss all the details that led me into this state.

I have 0 friends. No one calls me, no one texts me, no one comes to visit me. I used to have friends when I was in high school but I lost every single one of them after becoming withdrawn and haven't talked to any of them in a few years. Pretty much everyday is the same for me, it's like living in groundhog day. During the week I get up, work for 10 hours, come home, waste away whatever free time I have and repeat until the weekend when I just sit home in my room for the entire day. This has caused me to experience extreme amounts of loneliness as well as self esteem issues.

I feel that I have lost the ability to connect with anyone at the emotional level. Whenever I am around my family at events I feel extremely isolated from everybody else and I am extremely embarrassed about my isolation so I often lie to my family members about having friends and such, although I know eventually as the years go by and I don't bring any around they'll get suspicious, and I suspect they already are. The only people in my family who truly understand the extent of my isolation are my parents and my oldest brother.

I don't really know how to go out or make any friends. As said I can't relate or connect with anyone anymore and I know everyone would think I am an extremely odd individual. I do have a lot of self esteem issues particularly around my facial appearance and my intelligence. Due to the loneliness that I experience I don't really feel like I'm a person anymore

I don't know what to do anymore. I am stuck. I truly feel like there is no one for me and I don't even think I could ever be in a relationship with a girl since I cannot express my emotions too well and I don't think I can handle intimacy. In many ways I am walking contradiction because I want to get out of this but there it's almost like there is a pathological part of me that doesn't. My life is meaningless, everything is barren and waste. There is nothing for me. I am completely stuck.

Hey, Fugitive, welcome. I am so sorry you have been struggling like this. These social anxiety-type deals can be super hard. I have my own little version of it in that I kind of have agoraphobia now. Weird. Never had it before. Used to speak in front of pretty big crowds basically for a lving, now, can barely leave my apt.

I am certainly no relationship expert, but you are just 19. You have many, many, many years and wonderful opportunities ahead of you. I know it seems bleak now, but please do not give up. There is help available, I am sure of it.

Do you have a therapist or psychiatrist, by chance? If not, it might be worth trying to see one. They can really help with this stuff.

Sending you strength and support. Hang in there. It will get better, so don't give up.

Well I've been like this for the last four years and it feels that nothing has changed nor does it feel like anything will change.

I'm not sure how to open up to a therapist/psychiatrist. I would be wasting their time. I don't think a therapist/psychiatrist could help me with this problem.

Hi Fugitive, It's really nice to meet you.

Almost everyone feels like it would be hard (or impossible) to open up to a mental health professional at the first visit. The thing is, that's their job. That's what they are trained to do. They will gently ask you about what brings you to see them...they know how to help you discuss your life. In my experience, this is especially true of therapists (psychiatrists usually are the "medication people").

Believe me when I say that you will not be wasting anyone's time when you reach out for help, just as you've done here. And if you feel like you are wasting their time - well, that is certainly something to tell them, and discuss with them.

You sound like an intelligent, sensitive person. You sound like a person I would be friends with, if I was your age.

This forum is truly a supportive place and a place where you will be heard. One suggestion I have is for you to check out the Teen Board. Who knows, there might be others there who are in a similar position as you are.

I wish you all the best. Please look into getting therapy, and I hope you'll continue posting on PC

It's more of a mind game. Start reading positive mental attitude books. You can start the The Secret. Once you change your thought process, your vibration will change and the new vibration will attract new situations and circumstances.