Back again - feeling isolated and not sure where else to go

[welcome_snacks]

Hi everyone,

It’s been a long time since I posted here — I’m sorry for disappearing. I’ve been trying to hold everything together on my own for a while now, and I guess I only really come back when things get heavy. I don’t love that about myself, but it’s where I’m at.

The frustrating part is that, on paper, I should be okay. I have therapy support. I have psychiatric support. I’ve worked hard to build those things into my life. But right now, I’m at a loose end. I feel stuck. Isolated. Like I’m spinning my wheels and don’t know where to turn.

I don’t have many close friends anymore — mental health stuff has pushed people away, or maybe I pushed first so they didn’t get the chance. My partner has been incredible, but I’m trying not to overload her with things she can’t fix.

I don’t know what I’m hoping for exactly by posting, but I just needed to say it out loud (or type it, I guess). Maybe just knowing someone’s out there reading this will help. Thanks for listening.

[Gab93]

Honestly, having a good psychologist or mental health professional, and the love of close friends or family, makes a massive difference when you're trying to heal. That kind of support creates safety, gives you guidance, and reminds you that you're not alone.

But something I’ve learned over time—especially with more complex or long-term mental health stuff (like Complex MI)—is how valuable it is to also have peers. People who’ve lived it. Not just read about it or supported someone through it, but who viscerally understand what it feels like to be in that kind of headspace.

There’s something different about connecting with someone who knows that panic in your chest, the shutdowns, the dissociation, the medication side effects, the frustration, the grief… not because they studied it, but because they’ve been there.

It’s like your body and nervous system relax in a new way when you don’t have to explain the "why" behind every feeling or behaviour. You just get each other.

Come back whenever its too much, when its heavy. Thats why these forums are here, right? Thats where those people are 🙂

[Shaz51]

hello @welcome_snacks , @Gab93 

it is so good to see you here 

we are here to have a chat 

how is your day going today xx

@Dimity , @Appleblossom , @AuntGlow , @Ru-bee , @rav3n , @Oaktree 

[Dimity]

Hi @Shaz51 @welcome_snacks @Gab93 

People...."who viscerally understand what it feels like to be in that kind of headspace". Yep. 

We're all in this together. 

[welcome_snacks]

Hi @Shaz51 @Dimity @Gab93 , thanks for checking in.  I'm OK, just a bit stressed out about work stuff and home stuff and all the other stuff.  Can't seem to keep my thoughts in a straight line at the moment.  This is the thing - everything that is going on in my life at the moment is pretty minor stuff, and under normal circumstances, I can deal.  I'm pretty good at it actually, but at the moment it's just this huge ball of overwhelm, and I can't help but feel like something's going to topple me and send me back into the dark hole I've spent so long climbing out of.  It just feels a bit lonely at the moment, so thanks again for understanding. 

[Oaktree]

@welcome_snacks @Gab93 @Dimity @Shaz51 

I agree that sometimes you just need your peers. This is why I am studying peer work. Sometimes things are just stressful and overwhelming! There are people here that understand what you are going through. Welcome back to the forums @welcome_snacks 

You don’t have to feel bad for disappearing. It’s good if you feel like you don’t need us. Personally I have been on these forums 4 years. I have made great strides in my recovery since I have been here. The forums are like family to me. I dont know what I would do without the community here.