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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by iforgotmypassword on May 24, 2008, at 5:54:47
is there a specific neurochemistry to this. a need try to find people yet feeling nothing when you find them. just anxiety, they aren't company. more dopamine issues? i definately have anhedonia, apathy, amotivation, uncaring, lack of empathy.
would selegiline 10mg plus dopaminergic supplements incl. some EPA/DHA and others... would that help?
if i still didn't have interest in other people, would i have interest when i am alone? hard to say i know... but am i nowhere near the right track?
is it pointless not going straight to nardil?
Posted by SLS on May 24, 2008, at 7:26:12
In reply to loniliness, posted by iforgotmypassword on May 24, 2008, at 5:54:47
I think I understand exactly where you're coming from.
> is there a specific neurochemistry to this.
Of course.
> ...a need try to find people yet feeling nothing when you find them. just anxiety, they aren't company. more dopamine issues? i definately have anhedonia, apathy, amotivation, uncaring, lack of empathy.
Clearly, loneliness does not correct the pathology of social anxiety disorder or depressive amotivation and anhedonia. You could try desensitizing yourself by going to social functions for short periods of time at first. You might find that your social anxiety diminishes with each exposure, as long as that exposure does not provoke more acute anxiety. This should resolve when your depression responds to treatment.
Loneliness is to be expected when you are precluded by illness to meet new people and feel comfortable around old friends.
> would selegiline 10mg plus dopaminergic supplements incl. some EPA/DHA and others... would that help?The selegiline might help with social anxiety. I have seen some reports of this, as well as my doctor's desciptions of his experience with it.
> if i still didn't have interest in other people, would i have interest when i am alone?
No, I don't think so. I think you might be confusing interest with loneliness. Loneliness is painful. It is the result of isolation and seclusion.
> is it pointless not going straight to nardil?
In my opinion, yes.
- Scott
Posted by SLS on May 24, 2008, at 7:28:57
In reply to Re: loniliness » iforgotmypassword, posted by SLS on May 24, 2008, at 7:26:12
Reclusiveness will prevent you from going to social functions, and thus prevent you from making any headway with desensitization and growth in general.
You might help yourself by pushing past the depression.
- Scott
Posted by SLS on May 24, 2008, at 13:00:37
In reply to Re: loniliness » iforgotmypassword, posted by SLS on May 24, 2008, at 7:26:12
> > if i still didn't have interest in other people, would i have interest when i am alone?
> No, I don't think so. I think you might be confusing interest with loneliness. Loneliness is painful. It is the result of isolation and seclusion.
AMMENDMENT:Yes, I think so. While you are feeling safe and without anxiety in the comfort of your own home, social events don't feel so overwhelming from afar. You can even think of times when you did have anxiety at an event, but, in retrospect, the event seems like it provided you with some enjoyment because you are without anxiety while you are in the act of reminiscing. Separated by time, things don't seem so bad. In other words, you can have a desire to meet people while you are at home in order to end the loneliness, but feel less interested as you approach people because the anxiety builds and the depression numbs you as you get closer and closer.
Which of these two apply best?
- Scott
Posted by bulldog2 on May 24, 2008, at 14:01:34
In reply to loniliness, posted by iforgotmypassword on May 24, 2008, at 5:54:47
> is there a specific neurochemistry to this. a need try to find people yet feeling nothing when you find them. just anxiety, they aren't company. more dopamine issues? i definately have anhedonia, apathy, amotivation, uncaring, lack of empathy.
>
> would selegiline 10mg plus dopaminergic supplements incl. some EPA/DHA and others... would that help?
>
> if i still didn't have interest in other people, would i have interest when i am alone? hard to say i know... but am i nowhere near the right track?
>
> is it pointless not going straight to nardil?We must learn how to be happy with our own company and not feel loneliness because we do not have people around us. Happiness resides inside of us and other people or things cannot bring joy to our hearts when it is already there
Posted by Sigismund on May 24, 2008, at 18:27:05
In reply to Re: loniliness, posted by bulldog2 on May 24, 2008, at 14:01:34
We are a chatty social species and need other people.
Being comfortable in our own company does not mean that we won't feel lonely.
I thought what Scott said in his second post was very good; at least that is how it is with me.
Pushing through terrible mental states to make connections may or may not be effective.
On balance, I think I have tended to push myself too much, placing myself in situations where my discomfort became a problem to others, not to speak of to myself.
My feeling at the moment is that if one is lonely one is lonely, and that is a reflection of our hardwired need for connection. But in your loneliness you can be compassionate to yourself, and that is a useful thing to practice.
Posted by Sigismund on May 24, 2008, at 18:28:31
In reply to Re: loniliness, posted by SLS on May 24, 2008, at 13:00:37
Actually that was Scott's third post.
I'm using an Apple and have no idea how to copy and paste.
Posted by bulldog2 on May 24, 2008, at 19:29:44
In reply to Re: loniliness, posted by Sigismund on May 24, 2008, at 18:28:31
> Actually that was Scott's third post.
>
> I'm using an Apple and have no idea how to copy and paste.I think what is hardwired is not necessarily what we need genetically. We are taught many ideas / emotional responses as we grow up and that becomes our reality. Some people can go to a movie or out to dinner by themselves and enjoy themselves while others feel miserable because they don't have a companion. (you are a loser because you're by yourself). some of us are more social than others. However society does program us to believe that being alone is horrible and depressing. Many have found that they can be quite content with their own company.
Posted by elanor roosevelt on May 25, 2008, at 22:40:49
In reply to Re: loniliness, posted by bulldog2 on May 24, 2008, at 19:29:44
alienating yourself does not make you safe
it makes you more scared
get some help and get out of your seclusion
not liking people is sometimes a side effect of meds
good luck
Posted by Horned One on June 13, 2008, at 11:04:48
In reply to Re: loniliness, posted by elanor roosevelt on May 25, 2008, at 22:40:49
Should people who are afraid of being alone get help? Force themselves into seclusion, desensitize themselves to lonliness? If not, why?
-Horny
Posted by elanor roosevelt on June 16, 2008, at 0:38:14
In reply to Re: loniliness, posted by bulldog2 on May 24, 2008, at 14:01:34
i think if you socialize a bit you will definitely feel better when you are alone
Posted by JohnnyBLinux on July 12, 2008, at 5:43:15
In reply to Re: loniliness, posted by elanor roosevelt on June 16, 2008, at 0:38:14
Just some thoughts on this loneliness thread. There is being alone and there is feeling alone. Someone can sit in a crowded bar among their peers yet feel alone. Someone can be alone in their bed at night yet not experience loneliness. Some people are extroverts who prefer the company of others. Other people are introverts who might prefer to be by themselves. Whatever the case may be, it is perfectly normal to feel lonely and want to be alone from time to time. Feeling that way does not necessarily mean there is something wrong with you or that you are a loser. The real problem is isolation from others over a long period of time.
Posted by rjlockhart '05 on August 2, 2008, at 0:27:00
In reply to Fear of being alone, posted by Horned One on June 13, 2008, at 11:04:48
sometimes people dont have the social cabablity to be in public. And it causes anxiety from a result of awkwardness.
-rj
This is the end of the thread.
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