Anyone else only have friends online?
Not that I'm complaining about having online friends, because the friends I speak to online are great, but I'm curious about if anyone else here only has friends that they speak to online?
My social anxiety has prevented me from feeling confident when talking to people, and the friends I had back in high school, I've lost contact with most (though I occasionally message one or two on Facebook.) Mostly now the people I've considered friends are those I've met on forums or other social media
Re: Anyone else only have friends online?
Yep, a few on here and that's it. I lost all my mates to anxiety over the years. Not their fault though, mine is avoidance of anything that could make it worse. You get to a point though where you stop caring about losing them, time heals & all that.
Re: Anyone else only have friends online?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
SpongeBobFan
Not that I'm complaining about having online friends, because the friends I speak to online are great, but I'm curious about if anyone else here only has friends that they speak to online?
My social anxiety has prevented me from feeling confident when talking to people, and the friends I had back in high school, I've lost contact with most (though I occasionally message one or two on Facebook.) Mostly now the people I've considered friends are those I've met on forums or other social media
yes, me, it's been that way for me all the time.
even growing up the idea of being around people scared me and i never socialised or talked to anyone
plus i'm agoraphobic, so i can't get out to events and meet people either.
i do think of the people i know online as the family i never had, and i don't think their's anything wrong with that.
what's sad is that i'm happy and content with not knowing anyone offline, what's even sadder is that if i didn't have anxiety, i'd still not know where to start
i hardly know too much about the world in which we live... what a sad state of afairs
Re: Anyone else only have friends online?
Same here. I have a few work friends but only hang out at work. Never outside of work. I've had such bad social anxiety I lost most all my friends locally. I love when some of my family members tell me I need to get out and socialize or "you're a great guy, you can find a gf". They clearly don't know how hard that truly is. I'd love to be able to hang out... WITHOUT NAUSEA. So for the past 12 years I was able to go on some video chats at least to keep me somewhat social. It's easy when you feel anxiety to hit the red X and everyone disappears. Can't do that in a local setting. I have met some amazing people though who I'll be friends with for a long time.
Re: Anyone else only have friends online?
Yes, me too, the only living breathing things I come into contact with are the staff at the local shop, my dog, dog walkers and my husband, my comfort zone.
I made a major breakthrough this morning though, after what seems like years and a ton of excuses not to, I made the decision to join a 45 minute fitness class for the over 50s at a gym in the next village. I felt sick with anxiety, at thought of the drive there, not knowing that area well and the parking etc and anxious because I'm English and a Scouser. But it was the best decision I've made!!! It was brilliant !!! I was made to feel so welcome by the others and got chatting to a few of them and found a lot of them there had been struggling with depression, anxiety and boredom, just like me.
I'm usually the type of person of gets into a social situation, then says ' oh I need the toilet' then I would leg it!!!!! But no I stayed. Even though the instructor was a bit late, it didn't bother me, no jittery tummy and afterwards I felt great, tired but great!! It was nice to hear people say to me 'bye see you next week' and 'are you coming again?'
After all the excuses not to do it, I finally came to the realisation this morning the are good reasons to do it.
And yes I will be going back.
Re: Anyone else only have friends online?
Yes, all my friends on here.
I have my husband and my daughter, relations.
Friends on here :)
I have a social phobia, that's why I have no friends.
I am a loner really, it's my own fault.
Re: Anyone else only have friends online?
I have some high school friends spread out over the country that I talk to on facebook. I had a few work friends over the years, but they either moved away or I've lost touch being out of work these last 6 months. Right now, my social circle includes my parents, brother, boyfriend, two dogs, people on this forum, and my counselor who I see once a week.
Glad I'm not the only one. I still feel lonely to be honest. I miss going out to lunches with friends and talking and laughing....sigh....I really want to have that back.
Re: Anyone else only have friends online?
I've managed to make a few friends going to college but we don't hang out after class or anything, just chat during class and after. I lost all contact with my high school friends after moving to a different state. All my good friends are online though and that's the way I like it. Once in a while I do feel lonely but I'm blessed to have been able to make such good friends in a way that is comfortable for me :)
Re: Anyone else only have friends online?
I'm the same.Because of my agoraphobia and anxiety related issues etc,i haven't had any real friends since i left school.
The loneliness and isolation can be agonizing.
Re: Anyone else only have friends online?
yep i only have online friends too,
i used to make loads of mini friendships with the foreigners as a child in the summer, i don't know why it all changed but i've never had a true friendship since i was like 10 x