being depressed has hindered me from making friends

Yeah, that's right.

Ok...not sure why I needed to make that distinction lol. Obviously I'm no quack (Doctor) but I have / had the same issue when I was growing up. There wasn't "depression" at that time and it was deemed a taboo. Do you find it easier to talk online with people who know what it's like? If it helps I looked liked a fatter version of Harry Potter 😊

I was a shy person to begin with so I'm generally uncomfortable talking with people. I have a few close friends I share things with and I've a shrink that I'm definitely uncomfortable with haha

Ah....I know that term well...the shrink..but I do know they do good work...I had the mis fortune of being bullied when I was a lad growing up....my real friends I could and still can count on 1 hand. I too was shy and still am. Talking does help. But for me the person has to know you...even gave gone through a similar thing...shrinks are great I'm sure but I would rather chat to a friend.....at least they won't charge me for the pleasure haha. Sorry Em, may I call you Em? I didn't mean to talk about me....we're talking about you

Yeah I really just don't know what to do..

Hi Emily. You can just carry on talking to us if you think it helps, it helped me. I have made 2 very good e-mail friends here through doing just that. One is a young lady [21] who has just graduated from Uni & has struggled with depression for years. The other is a 42yr old lady who has had a bad time with alcohol & has now been sober for 3yrs. I am a 65yr old male, who had to give up work in my mid 40's because of severe arthritic problems. I became depressed during this time because of not being able to earn a wage, relying on disability. I have been separated for 12yrs with no children. I take a cocktail of meds for my ailments as well as anti depressants. I too have a few friends, but only one of them knows about my depression. I took up photography 4yrs ago & believe me, Em, it helps a lot if you can find something to focus your attention on away from your depression. There are times when I am so bad that I don't want to be bothered with anything, those are the times I just have to get through somehow. I find the meds do work, but don't remove the depression completely. I am talking about "me" in order to give you some feeling that there are many others of us out there who feel the same. It also gives a topic for conversation if you wish to talk. You may prefer talking to folk your own age. That's ok, I am here if you want to talk to someone older who has been through what you are going through. Keep your spirits up girl, you have made a good start.

Goooooooood morning? Emily.....wait it's morning here. So sorry about last night I fell asleep....but to be fair it was after 3am.

I know it's a silly question but how you doing? Are ya busy or am I interupting?

Wow Lee....only recently been on here a few days so still unsure of what to say/respond to when I read these posts.....hate being cliché especially when you know the answer

Hey Matt. Best you don't think too much about what to say. I just go with the flow, as you can probably see . Respond by giving your own experiences of the problem, it does help others cope & realise they are among friends who cah empathize with them & not judge them. If you do that, then when you ask questions, they will likely open up to you. Talking or writing really can help a great deal. Nothing wrong with cliche's.