Loneliness

I'm currently sitting on the edge of my sofa bed at my parents' house in Cornwall, with tears in my eyes. Just a few days ago, I was in Glasgow, living with my partner of almost five years.

We had been working on my website together. She was kissing me, telling me how proud she was of the progress I'd made. Later that day, we were making love and telling each other we loved each other. We were making plans for Christmas, talking about getting married and looking at houses.

Just two days later, she was looking me in the eye and telling me she didn't love me anymore.

I honestly cannot begin to describe what that did to me. I experienced the biggest autistic meltdown I've ever had. I was screaming, had to be restrained, and much of what happened afterwards is a blur. I still feel as though I'm waiting to wake up and discover it was all a nightmare.

Now I'm back in Cornwall, living in a small annexe at my parents' house. No partner, no home of my own, no friends, no job and no real direction in life.

Perhaps one of the hardest things is that I simply cannot understand how this happened. How can someone be telling you they love you, making love to you and talking about your future together, and then just two days later say they don't love you anymore? I keep going over everything in my head, trying to find an explanation or something I missed. I don't know whether she had been feeling this way for a long time or whether something changed. I just cannot make sense of it.

I've always struggled with relationships, largely because of my autism and the anxiety and overthinking that come with it. From the beginning, I was terrified that the relationship would eventually end because of something I'd said or done.

Looking back, I think that fear may have put a strain on things. For example, when she became upset, she needed space and wanted to be left alone. But I found that incredibly difficult because I would become consumed by thoughts about what she was thinking and whether she was going to leave me. I now torture myself thinking about all the times I should have given her the space she asked for. I feel as though my fear of losing her may have contributed to losing her.

I've also struggled to find work and to make a life for myself. I honestly don't feel as though I understand how to 'do life' in the way other people seem to. I've never had a particularly strong support network, and relationships have been the only times I've really felt that I wasn't alone.

I'm nearly 42, and I cannot bear the thought of spending the rest of my life without someone to share it with. I want the ordinary things that most people probably take for granted: someone to hold hands with, cuddle, talk to, come home to and make plans with. I even feel lonely when I'm with my own family.

I'm struggling with this so badly that I've been having thoughts about not wanting to be alive. I've seen my doctor and he’s already put me on diazepam, but I honestly don't know where to go from here.

I don't know what I'm going to do now.

Hi, my name is Oatmealdust. I'm curious about ways people cope with the loneliness of sever mental health issues. I feel so detached from the rest of society. like I’m a cricket chirping into the void.

#MightyTogether #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #SchizoaffectiveDisorder

Hi, my name is Elena. I’m new here. I’m looking for genuine friends and empathetic people who understand what it's like to feel lonely or go through deep emotional pain. I want to build supportive connections, share our stories, and be here for each other through hard times. If you need a friend who will listen without judgment, please feel free to send me a private message. Let's support each other.
#Depression #loneliness #selfharm #selfharmrecovery #peersupport #mentalhealth #relationships

I started a new job last week and I really don’t like it. We desperately need the money so I have to stick it out but I feel like I am sacrificing my mental health by being there. I’m depressed, anxious and lonely. I feel stuck.

I’m struggling with recovery from my eating disorder. I left residential 3weeks ago. I was doing really well there and had hope but since being home I feel like I’ve lost all the positivity I had gained. My behaviors are back. My negative thoughts are back and I’m spiraling back down into the ed. I started a new job last week and it sucks. I’m so depressed, anxious and lonely. I don’t know how to get out of this hole.

Hi everyone. I'm lonely & life's hard. Y'all look kind. I need kind. #BPD #PTSD

Or Childhood I Must've Done Something Good, Hi how was Yours? CONCERNED about Flight or Fight Genre, Quite Scared. I DO Something When my Heart is Lonely, Asheley It's go fer a Hike, Geesh, Well anyways Thank you Gods n Greeks n Lords n Ladies n Penny Lanes n Celts, n Cooks n Flirts, n Parents n Kids, n Sad n Happy n Blue n Folj Rock Gods n Harvest n The Moon n Angels n their Eyes n Selves n Shaddows, n how may I correct my path, it's been such an honour I'm a Young Old Person with Only a Dream, Then there's Friends I've Never Met They Hold Themselves or We Hold Ourselves Inside a Dream, I Don't Know, Love Love Love, We meet all over the place n why do I still have 2 pies a too sweet cheesecake Chocolate Excelence Cookies, to tired to make a campfire, may you take over, and incredibly Honoured, are we 2 somethings too far, it's a weird theory I have some others, theory theory theory, love, song poem song lyric tired, n yes good friends we've had good friends we've lost along the way, hi

I noticed something had changed with one of my closest friends. They were quieter than usual, stopped joining our conversations, and often seemed tired. Whenever I asked if everything was okay, they smiled and said, “I'm fine.” But I had a feeling they were dealing with more than they wanted to share.

At first, I tried to help by offering advice. I suggested taking breaks, getting more rest, and finding ways to reduce stress. I genuinely wanted to make things better, but I eventually realized that I couldn't solve every problem my friend was facing. Sometimes, people struggling with their mental health don't need advice. They need someone who will listen without judgment.

One afternoon, I decided to do something different. Instead of asking another serious question, I sent my friend a silly message that matched their sense of humor. I wasn't expecting anything extraordinary. I simply wanted to give them a reason to smile.

To my surprise, they responded with a laughing message and sent a joke back. We spent the next few minutes sharing funny things, just like we used to. Their problems hadn't disappeared, but our conversation felt lighter. For a little while, we were simply two friends enjoying each other's company.

That moment changed how I understood emotional support. I realized that checking on someone doesn't always have to begin with a serious conversation. Sometimes, a small gesture can help someone feel connected without pressuring them to explain what they're going through.

After that, I started paying more attention to the little things my friend enjoyed. I noticed the jokes they liked and the unusual things that made them laugh. While browsing online for quirky gifts and funny products, I came across a well-known gift platform for example, ThingsFromMars. Some of the unusual finds made me smile, and I thought about how sharing something ridiculous with a friend could become a small but memorable moment.

Of course, I learned that humor isn't the answer to every difficult situation. Someone experiencing anxiety, depression, loneliness, or emotional exhaustion might appreciate a laugh, but they might also need a quiet conversation or simply someone willing to listen. What matters is understanding the person rather than assuming everyone copes with stress in the same way.

I also learned that telling someone to cheer up can make them feel misunderstood. Genuine mental health support means respecting their feelings, checking in regularly, and allowing them to speak when they're ready. If someone continues to struggle or finds everyday life difficult to manage, professional support may also be important.

Looking back, I don't believe one funny message changed my friend's life. Laughter cannot cure mental health conditions, and I never want to suggest otherwise. But that small exchange reminded me that kindness doesn't always require perfect words or grand gestures.

Sometimes, supporting a friend means listening. Sometimes, it means giving them space. And sometimes, it means sharing something silly that makes them smile.

I've learned that we cannot always remove another person's struggles, but we can help them feel less alone. Sometimes, that simple reminder is where meaningful support begins.

#MentalHealth #Depression #Anxiety