Contact a Hotline
If you are in crisis, it's important to get help right away. For this reason, never hesitate to call a hotline. Regardless of your need, there are crisis lines with trained advocates to help you. Many times, they will listen and chat with you for as long as you need.
You can seek out new friends by joining a gym, taking a class, or participating in an online chat or gaming group. Another option is talking to a licensed therapist at an online counseling platform like BetterHelp.com to overcome whatever is holding you back from making new friends.
The Samaritans HelpLine – 1-877-870-4673
They provide compassionate support to anyone who is feeling anxious and confused. Any adult feeling isolated, depressed, or suicidal can reach out anytime to Samaratins for support. It's confidential and free to use.
Being shy or an introvert can be a huge hurdle if you're trying to make friends or get people to talk to you. There may be a lack of confidence or you look scared (body language and facial expressions matter) and people prefer to talk to someone else. If you're shy, there is a chance you may have some social anxiety.
It's totally normal. We go through a phase in our lives where we just need to be alone and quiet. It is totally fine if you don't feel like talking to anyone. But if you need to know if it is bad or not, then you must analize the reasons for doing so.
Recap. There are many reasons why you might feel like you don't need friends. Preferring solitude, being close to members of your family, and being busy with other things are just a few factors that may play a role. Fear of being disappointed or hurt by friends can also be a contributing factor.
If you feel like you have a lot of casual friends or acquaintances but no one close, you're not alone. Not having any close friends is surprisingly common, especially in your 20s and 30s.
"Lacking encouragement from family or friends, those who are lonely may slide into unhealthy habits," Valtorta says. "In addition, loneliness has been found to raise levels of stress, impede sleep and, in turn, harm the body. Loneliness can also augment depression or anxiety."
Often getting left out can result from simple miscommunications: Maybe your friends thought you were too busy with your job to go shopping on a weekday. Perhaps you accidentally texted them the wrong date or time for an event, and they planned something else without you.
There are a few reasons for feeling lonely even when surrounded by friends and family: You hide your true self. You have a history of being misunderstood or judged. Perhaps you feel insecure about certain aspects of your personality.
Why Is it Actually Hard to Make Friends in Adulthood? Research shows that the most common reason why people struggle to connect with others is due to a lack of trust. It's harder than ever for people to find friends that they can fully invest in emotionally and mentally.
A lot of mental illnesses like bipolar, anxiety and depression can all make people feel very lonely. Mental illness can make you anxious about seeing others, so you might spend more time indoors. Or it can lead to insomnia, which in turn can make you tired, irritable and lonely.
When someone feels lonely they are more likely to try to distract themselves with the other things in their lives. So if your colleague is always talking about their stamp collection, or always flying away on exotic solo city breaks rather than spending weekends at home, they might be feeling alone.
Some of the most common causes of loneliness include: Social Anxiety, Isolation, Difficulty with Assertiveness, and Poor Self-awareness. Common types or forms of loneliness include: Lack of Physical Connection, Lack of Common Interests, Lack of Shared Values, Lack of Emotional Intimacy, and Lack of Self-Intimacy.
Jessica Harrison, a licensed professional counselor and owner of Courageous Counseling and Consulting, says a lack of long-term friendships is a major red flag. "It shows that they have not been committed to growing in relationships, which takes time and effort on both friends' part," says Harrison.