Depressed and lonely

[LetsDance]

Hi everyone. This is my first time posting a thread, so I apologize if this isn’t the right place to put this.
Anyway, here it is. I feel so lonely and almost always feel that way. It is so depressing, I feel like I don’t belong anywhere. I don’t have true friends. For example, now that we’re on vacations, none of the people that I’m supposedly close to keeps in contact; I’m the only one who calls/texts. Also, my closest “friends” are an Atheist, a Pentecostal and a non-practicing Catholic, so as you can imagine we have arguments every now and then. I know this is going to sound selfish, but I really need and want people who will help me grow in my faith.

I have nothing to look forward to this summer. I don’t have a job because I’m too lazy mad and too scared (). There are just so many things wrong with my personality. I was on medication for depression for about three years and went to psychotherapy for almost a year. I really don’t want to go back to that. I’m scared of everything: driving, working, change, going out by myself, moving to campus, etc.

Things did get better after I started going to church but I feel like something is still missing and no matter what I do I always go back to feeling miserable and incomplete. I have failed God so many times I want to have a better relationship with Him, but I don’t even know how to pray. Every time I try my mind wanders off and I just give up. Please, please help me. What should I do?

 

[Mary_Ellen]

Hi everyone. This is my first time posting a thread, so I apologize if this isn’t the right place to put this.
Anyway, here it is. I feel so lonely and almost always feel that way. It is so depressing, I feel like I don’t belong anywhere. I don’t have true friends. For example, now that we’re on vacations, none of the people that I’m supposedly close to keeps in contact; I’m the only one who calls/texts. Also, my closest “friends” are an Atheist, a Pentecostal and a non-practicing Catholic, so as you can imagine we have arguments every now and then. I know this is going to sound selfish, but I really need and want people who will help me grow in my faith.

I have nothing to look forward to this summer. I don’t have a job because I’m too lazy mad and too scared (). There are just so many things wrong with my personality. I was on medication for depression for about three years and went to psychotherapy for almost a year. I really don’t want to go back to that. I’m scared of everything: driving, working, change, going out by myself, moving to campus, etc.

Things did get better after I started going to church but I feel like something is still missing and no matter what I do I always go back to feeling miserable and incomplete. I have failed God so many times I want to have a better relationship with Him, but I don’t even know how to pray. Every time I try my mind wanders off and I just give up. Please, please help me. What should I do?

You are not alone. My mind wanders when I pray, too. That’s why I stick with mostly vocal prayers like the Liturgy of the Hours, Chaplet of Mercy, Rosary, and the like. Only after those prayers have quieted me do I try mental prayer or contemplation.

I, too, suffer from depression. I could not survive without my medications. I do not consider myself weak or the medications a crutch of any kind. I need them to get through each and every day. You may need their help as well so I encourage you to go back to your doctor for an evaluation.

You do have a few true friends, Jesus and Mary are two. You are welcome to turn to them at any time. If there is an adoration chapel in your area, take advantage of it while you are on this summer break. You may find consolation in visiting the One who was abandoned by all in His time of need. Pick up the Rosary and turn to Mary.

Turn to the Sacraments as much as you can. Frequent the Sacrament of Confession and go to daily Mass (even if it’s just once or twice a week) if there is a church near you.

I hope some of these ideas help. You will be in my prayers.

 

[migueltojose]

It’s all about you… not being all about you.

Pray unceasingly.

Family? Where are they in all this?

Read.

Volunteer.

We coddle ourselves because we can. We live an a world that let’s us.

Don’t.

Tune in to the Holy Spirit, Turn On to Jesus Christ and Drop Out of the culture of death…

God gave you time, talent and treasure. Use them to the fullest.

 

[LetsDance]

You are not alone. My mind wanders when I pray, too. That’s why I stick with mostly vocal prayers like the Liturgy of the Hours, Chaplet of Mercy, Rosary, and the like. Only after those prayers have quieted me do I try mental prayer or contemplation.

I, too, suffer from depression. I could not survive without my medications. I do not consider myself weak or the medications a crutch of any kind. I need them to get through each and every day. You may need their help as well so I encourage you to go back to your doctor for an evaluation.

You do have a few true friends, Jesus and Mary are two. You are welcome to turn to them at any time. If there is an adoration chapel in your area, take advantage of it while you are on this summer break. You may find consolation in visiting the One who was abandoned by all in His time of need. Pick up the Rosary and turn to Mary.

Turn to the Sacraments as much as you can. Frequent the Sacrament of Confession and go to daily Mass (even if it’s just once or twice a week) if there is a church near you.

I hope some of these ideas help. You will be in my prayers.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read and answer my post. Praying the rosary is very hard for me; I get very distracted. I guess I need to do it more often until I get used to it and learn to appreciate and love it.

Thank you again. God bless you!

 

[StudentMI]

I have failed God so many times I want to have a better relationship with Him, but I don’t even know how to pray. Every time I try my mind wanders off and I just give up. Please, please help me. What should I do?

I second what Mary Ellen said about seeing a doctor.

Don’t worry about your mind wandering when you pray the Rosary. My mind wanders, too. That’s life. Try looking at a picture illustrating the Mystery being meditated on.

We’ve all failed God. That’s why we go to Confession. Have you read about the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and St. Faustina? thedivinemercy.org/message/

 

[LetsDance]

Hi migueltojose, thanks for your answer.

Family? Where are they in all this?

I live with my mom and brother. My dad died when I was 6. My mom and I are close but most of the time she’s working or at church (she’s very involved), which I think is great.

Read.

Any recommendations?

We coddle ourselves because we can. We live an a world that let’s us.

Don’t.

I agree

Tune in to the Holy Spirit, Turn On to Jesus Christ and Drop Out of the culture of death…

God gave you time, talent and treasure. Use them to the fullest.

God bless you

 

[LetsDance]

I second what Mary Ellen said about seeing a doctor.

Don’t worry about your mind wandering when you pray the Rosary. My mind wanders, too. That’s life. Try looking at a picture illustrating the Mystery being meditated on.

We’ve all failed God. That’s why we go to Confession. Have you read about the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and St. Faustina? thedivinemercy.org/message/

Thank you. I haven’t read about them but I will. Thanks for the link! God bless!

 

[LittleScoty]

Here are some additional ideas you may consider and questions you might ponder…

How about volunteering at church? That’s a good and safe place. You could join a bible study group or prayer group or perhaps consider becoming an Altar Server. There’s usually lots of different opportunities and I’m sure you’d find something that fit.

Have you been Baptised and Confirmed?

Are you familiar with the Beatitudes? (Matthew 5:1-12) I’m thinking you may find some comfort in them. Speaking of comfort… the Bible tells us to not be afraid so many times that there must be something to it.

Also, please keep in mind that you must be doing something right if Satan is trying so hard to get or keep you down. Just you writing I have failed God so many times I want to have a better relationship with Him… is a wonderful testament to humility, honesty and contrition and much more… You see, one of Satan’s greatest weapons is deceit and sometimes when we feel and think the worst we are really proceeding rather well.

Anyhow, these are just a few thoughts for you to chew on. Hang in there and keep prayerfully searching. God has not and will not abandon you.

 

[LetsDance]

Here are some additional ideas you may consider and questions you might ponder…

How about volunteering at church? That’s a good and safe place. You could join a bible study group or prayer group or perhaps consider becoming an Altar Server. There’s usually lots of different opportunities and I’m sure you’d find something that fit.

Have you been Baptised and Confirmed?

Are you familiar with the Beatitudes? (Matthew 5:1-12) I’m thinking you may find some comfort in them. Speaking of comfort… the Bible tells us to not be afraid so many times that there must be something to it.

Also, please keep in mind that you must be doing something right if Satan is trying so hard to get or keep you down. Just you writing I have failed God so many times I want to have a better relationship with Him… is a wonderful testament to humility, honesty and contrition and much more… You see, one of Satan’s greatest weapons is deceit and sometimes when we feel and think the worst we are really proceeding rather well.

Anyhow, these are just a few thoughts for you to chew on. Hang in there and keep prayerfully searching. God has not and will not abandon you.

Thank you so much LittleScoty. I will ask if there are any volunteering opportunities at our church this summer. I joined the choir last Sunday but I feel very insecure and a little left out, but I’ll wait and see what happens.

I may have heard of the Beatitudes before. I just read them and they sound vaguely familiar. They are VERY comforting.

Also, I am Baptized and Confirmed. Thank you for the helpful and kind reply.

 

[Lasting_faith]

Turn your feeling of solitude to a blessing. I once did read this book full with quotes, and one did make me think, “there are thousands different noices but only one kind of silence”. In silence you hear God speak to you in so many ways.

I know my answer do not help you much but think about it?

 

[LetsDance]

Turn your feeling of solitude to a blessing. I once did read this book full with quotes, and one did make me think, “there are thousands different noices but only one kind of silence”. In silence you hear God speak to you in so many ways.

I know my answer do not help you much but think about it?

Actually, your answer did help me and even gave me some hope. Thank you for the quote! God bless you!

 

[Christine85]

Perhaps the person who has posted the thread does not want to take medication it can actually make things seem worse in some cases.
My message to you is- don’t give up. God is with you ALL OF THE TIME. He knows what you are going through and He is with you in all of this.
Continue to go to Church try daily if possible. Regular Confession is good too.
I think you should incorporate the daily Rosary and join the Rosary Confraternity
www. rosary-center.org

Also enroll yourself in the Seraphic Mass Association it is only $5 to be a member forever.
Try and read the Bible often and if necessary google encouraging Bible quotes.
It may also help to google Bible quotes on trusting in God

Also spend as much time as you can near the Blessed Sacrament, the real presence of Jesus can work wonders.
If you still think you cannot cope after these things return to psychotherapy and seek spiritual direction from a Priest.

God bless you

Do not hesitate to message me

In the love of Jesus, Mary and Joseph your friend Christine

 

[LetsDance]

Perhaps the person who has posted the thread does not want to take medication it can actually make things seem worse in some cases.
My message to you is- don’t give up. God is with you ALL OF THE TIME. He knows what you are going through and He is with you in all of this.
Continue to go to Church try daily if possible. Regular Confession is good too.
I think you should incorporate the daily Rosary and join the Rosary Confraternity
www. rosary-center.org

Also enroll yourself in the Seraphic Mass Association it is only $5 to be a member forever.
Try and read the Bible often and if necessary google encouraging Bible quotes.
It may also help to google Bible quotes on trusting in God

Also spend as much time as you can near the Blessed Sacrament, the real presence of Jesus can work wonders.
If you still think you cannot cope after these things return to psychotherapy and seek spiritual direction from a Priest.

God bless you

Do not hesitate to message me

In the love of Jesus, Mary and Joseph your friend Christine

Thank you Christine. All of you have been very helpful and kind. I greatly appreciate you taking the time to help me. God bless you all!

 

[abinjoy]

Thank you so much for taking the time to read and answer my post. Praying the rosary is very hard for me; I get very distracted. I guess I need to do it more often until I get used to it and learn to appreciate and love it.

Thank you again. God bless you!

Though it is not a substitute for rosary you can start praying Divine Mercy chaplets.Its short than rosary and hence you may not find it too difficult

You can try praying rosary in another way.Instead of saying 5 decades at a time you can split it to 1 decade each and pray 5 times in day.If you still find it difficult you can pray half decade each in 10 hrs which i think should n’t be to hard

If you think that you do not have any friends I would suggest reading the book
“Guardian Angels our heavenly companions”.It is a very thin book which wont take more than 1 hr to read
catholictradition.org/Angels/angels14a.htm -Some part of the book

 

[LetsDance]

Though it is not a substitute for rosary you can start praying Divine Mercy chaplets.Its short than rosary and hence you may not find it too difficult

You can try praying rosary in another way.Instead of saying 5 decades at a time you can split it to 1 decade each and pray 5 times in day.If you still find it difficult you can pray half decade each in 10 hrs which i think should n’t be to hard

If you think that you do not have any friends I would suggest reading the book
“Guardian Angels our heavenly companions”.It is a very thin book which wont take more than 1 hr to read
catholictradition.org/Angels/angels14a.htm -Some part of the book

Thank you so much. I will try this. Also, I’ll try the book you suggested. God bless you!!

 

[amelie871]

You are absolutely not alone in your struggles! It sounds like everything is very overwhelming and scary right now; something that has helped me is just taking each day individually. If I stop to think about everything I hope to accomplish or change in a year, six months, or even six weeks, it can sound impossible.

Make a list of long-term and short-term goals, and then every evening, sketch out what you want to do the next day, even if it’s just something small like looking into a volunteer position to help you meet people. Focus on what you’re able to do right now, and gradually work up to things you’d like to do in the future. With God absolutely anything is possible!

I’m a 26-year-old grad student, and most of my time is spent on my own studying, so I get where you’re coming from! Lately going to Adoration has really helped any feelings of loneliness or anxiety I deal with–it helps to realize I’m never truly alone, when I always have Jesus with me.

I hope this helps a little; feel free to PM me if you want to talk! I’m praying for you!

 

[Trishie]

Talking to God about everything in your life, about what is troubling you, about your hopes and dreams, is also praying.

If you have distractions about people, you can ask God to bless those people.

If you have distractions about issues and situations, you can talk to God about those also.
That is also praying, and it is beginning a relationship with God where you are honest and real.

May God bless you,
kindly,Trishie

 

[KingAlfred]

Hi everyone. This is my first time posting a thread, so I apologize if this isn’t the right place to put this.
Anyway, here it is. I feel so lonely and almost always feel that way. It is so depressing, I feel like I don’t belong anywhere. I don’t have true friends. For example, now that we’re on vacations, none of the people that I’m supposedly close to keeps in contact; I’m the only one who calls/texts. Also, my closest “friends” are an Atheist, a Pentecostal and a non-practicing Catholic, so as you can imagine we have arguments every now and then. I know this is going to sound selfish, but I really need and want people who will help me grow in my faith.

I have nothing to look forward to this summer. I don’t have a job because I’m too lazy mad and too scared (). There are just so many things wrong with my personality. I was on medication for depression for about three years and went to psychotherapy for almost a year. I really don’t want to go back to that. I’m scared of everything: driving, working, change, going out by myself, moving to campus, etc.

Things did get better after I started going to church but I feel like something is still missing and no matter what I do I always go back to feeling miserable and incomplete. I have failed God so many times I want to have a better relationship with Him, but I don’t even know how to pray. Every time I try my mind wanders off and I just give up. Please, please help me. What should I do?

I know how you feel, L.D. Hang in there. Maybe it’s the sudden change in your schedule, now that summer vacation has started. That’s sort of common. I feel a little bit like you right now, for that very reason. Pray, read, watch TV, communicate here online, often, and go outside, just to get fresh air and allow Nature to pick you up a bit. Go to a mall, just to be around people. You’ll get through this. I turn to God moreso every day, especially now, when my world has temporarily changed. You can do it, L.D.

P.S.: I give every summer a theme. Once it was the Vietnam War. I read a lot about it, and watched a ‘Time/Life’ CD series on it. Another time it was Western movies. This summer it’s old, classic movies. I read a lot, with these old movies on, in the background.

 

[Phil_Marinus]

Hello…
Sometimes we get so overwhelmed with nothing much going on in our lives…
We see people going around in the malls in groups having what seems to be a good time…
and we just wish we could be like that… people phoning us just for the heck of it…
but no one does ring… so then… what can we do about this situation ?
Need to think outside the Square here… Depending on your age, there are things like guides, or maybe a choir ,or acting group , maybe even martial arts … Horse Riding …
or even dog Obedience…Might need a dog for that…a cat or Geese just wont do…
What about joining a Brass band ? just need to look at things in a different light…
through that you will make new friends,with new friends come new opportunity…
maybe a new Wardrobe addition… maybe there is someone you know that your on speaking terms with, you could suggest to them you need a new something and you value there taste in clothing, and would love there opinion, then maybe suggest a movie or something… I know these things are easier said than done… but just need to think outside the Square… Good Luck