To think I have depression caused by loneliness?

[Amigoingabitmad]

Is it possible?

I know I am quite badly depressed but I also think it’s because I’m lonely as on the rare occasions I meet up with friends I feel fine.

I think it can worsen mood for sure.
I know when I spend too much time on my own, I get very over-analytical, which makes me feel very down. Imagined slights become huge, and I question why anyone would like me. AndI spiral down down down.

I try to keep busy, but when I don’t want to go anywhere I know I’m in trouble.
Make sure you have things booked in - even small changes of scenery, a trip to a museum, the library, get your nails done etc. See your GP if your mood doesn’t lift. Good luck 😉

Perfectly possible. What are you planning on doing about your loneliness? Do you have time to escape the house? Are you in an isolated location or are you in a busy area?

Yes it is most likely keeping you down, it is probably not the cause but the trigger. I hate to think people are lonely, life is to short. I totally believe idle mind causes mayhem. I have been depressed recently for ages and one day it lifted it was the strangest feeling, I started reading, making more effort with myself and walking. Is there anyone you can talk too, any group you can join.

This time of year is hard but it is also busy and theres many charitable volunteering available if you want to.

Yes I hear all of you. It’s really hard to know what to do as people are so tied up and busy

Is there something you can start for yourself so you are not depending on friends schedule. It will help to meet new people. I know the first steps are hard and we tend to talk ourselves out of things. Look online for a class in your area and go.

Maybe you need to make some new aquaintences through hobbies or volunteering. If your current friends are always busy.

I know but acquaintances don’t really cut it - I need actual connections with people that are warm and lasting.

OP, loneliness is very common so you're not alone. It's good to keep having a change of scenery so you're not inside your head all the time.

Do you have any hobbies that you could pursue? My favorite sociable hobby is knitting. We just sit together in cafes having a knit and a chat and the women are lovely.

I need actual connections with people that are warm and lasting.

Acquaintances will hopefully turn into that with some time and effort.

Do you work OP? Do you have family close by? Or, do you feel lonely in a room full of people?
Sorry for the questions, just trying to get the picture.

OP, I want that too. I just don't know how to get it.

Could you go to a depression support group where there would be meaningful interaction as well as depression help. In my experience support groups help people to connect quicker than in normal everyday situations.

The more time I spend with others the worse I seem to feel! But I sometimes still feel lonely. I don't think it's the amount of time you spend either alone or with others, the frequency or duration of interactions but something to do with the quality of these interactions. If it's superficial, false, you don't feel valued, or accepted, liked and respected or its functional such as it is mainly at work it's just bloody depressing anyway.

As for making real friends, it's hard, but you have to just keep trying. Clubs, classes, sports, support groups, volunteering. It's just difficult to meet 'your people' I did once but now I've been thrown back into full time work and I'm back to being regarded as an alien species but if you have time OP perhaps try joining things.

Absolutely possible as it is one of the main causes of me feeling low, depressed in the past.

I also find I feel very lonely sometimes surrounded by lots of people.

Do the social stuff, volunteering (20+ years), have made some good friends but moved a few years ago and now feel lonely once again.

Definitely.

I am depressed and for me loneliness is definitely one of the factors that has brought it on. I work, I have a dd, and I do interact with people outside of work too, but I am single and don’t have close friends so sometimes feel a bit like I am alone in the world.