Loneliness

Nictastic
Nictastic Online Community Member Posts: 5 Listener
in Mental health and wellbeing

For those of you who live alone and dont have friends/family close by how do you deal with the loneliness

.My family are 100 miles away and after taking voluntary severance due to ill health in July, my Daughter then left to go to University and I had to rehome my beloved dog as I couldnt walk him due to mobility issues. I also had my license suspended by DVLA due to fatigue so can only get around using expensive taxis.

I have barely left the house since July and sometimes the only person I physically see in a week is the Tesco delivery guy.

My mental health is deteriorating day by day but my GP has just upped my meds and enrolled in online CBT.

I have signed up for voluntary work but this is only 2.5 hours every fortnight.

I do hav e daily carers coming in soon but I think only for 30 mins morning and evening.

Any advice, hints or tips would be welcomed.

Comments

  • Trevor_PIP
    Trevor_PIP Online Community Member Posts: 816 Pioneering
    edited December 2

    @Nictastic

    Have you any interests that you can take up on your computer or tablet? See if there is a forum you can join and chat to like minded people. Do you read books, you can read online. Having the carers will give time for a chat. Do some mobility exercises daily to keep mobile. Have you a garden? Put a bird feeder up and watch them, they are lovely. I would not recommend social media but Twitter is the best as everyone has an account even people you may know like sports people, TV personalities, organisations you may follow, even the First Sea Lord of the Royal Navy has an account... You could follow your favourites and even message them!

  • rubin16
    rubin16 Scope Member Posts: 1,251 Championing

    I crave lonliness and hate any social setting. I could go months and years and never feel lonely. I'm the complete opposite and wonder why people crave social contact so much?

    The only ever time I am relaxed and feel at peace is when alone, or doing my own thing. I don't ever contact people and usually people have to contact me first. Other than that I rarely speak to people and when i'm around people i'm literally counting down till I can be alone again.

    This concept of constantly wanting to be in a social setting by people is alien to me and baffling. I do find it facinating though how many people crave relationships or social contact.

  • Rachel_Scope
    Rachel_Scope Posts: 2,463 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    Hi @Nictastic, I'm sorry you're feeling so isolated. Would getting a different pet like a cat be an option? I have 2 cats and they're good for cuddles. That's great about volunteering! Where do you volunteer if you don't mind sharing?

    I've sent you an email, so be on the lookout for it.

  • Nictastic
    Nictastic Online Community Member Posts: 5 Listener

    @Rachel_Scope - unfortunately I am allergic to cats because I think that would be the perfect answer x

    @Rubin16 - as I am autistic I used to have similar feelings especially at the end of a work day but the amount of alone time is just too much for me at the moment x

    @Trevor_PIP - thank you I will give that some thought and look out for forums to allow me to connect.

  • Andi66
    Andi66 Online Community Member Posts: 1,270 Championing

    Asked your gp about social prescriber who can help you with different things . They could find groups and to see if they have disability transport. They also ask interests , online course maybe

    Hope it helps

  • Nictastic
    Nictastic Online Community Member Posts: 5 Listener

    thanks @Andi66 - will do.

  • Catherine21
    Catherine21 Posts: 8,526 Championing
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1087693#Comment_1087693

    Im exactly the same rubin 24 hours on my own isnt enough I feel unsettled triggered around people I really live in my head for hours I hate being on other people's timetable or any social interactions

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