Fading voices: the struggle against depression and loneliness is a war of the wills. Does depression cause isolation? Does isolation cause depression? To be or not to be? That is the question!

I feel depression because I isolate. Actually, it’s because of a lot of circumstances. Then, why don’t I stop isolating? It’s not as easy as that.

I’m afraid of anything outside of my bubble, my bedroom. I leave that room, the anxiety starts in. I have to be really willing to take on the anxiety and I’m not right now.

So, I sit in my room day in and day out typing away. I go to my appointments and occassionally to the store, but that’s it.

Causes and Steps to Get Rid of Depression and Isolation

Fading voices: the struggle against depression and loneliness can be caused by many factors. Part of the cause of my depression years ago was genetic.

I also had a traumatic childhood in school starting with my first grade teacher who was a bully.

Therefore, she picked on me constantly and my peers joined in. I couldn’t wait to get out of school. Not that my life became any better.

The isolation started about a year ago. But here’s what I’m doing to improve it.

• Firstly, I try to go out more when I feel more confident.
• So I’m slowly exposing myself socially which is what I’m anxious about.
• Thirdly, I stay longer in the stores to expose myself to more people.
• I help people if I see they need help with something.
• I try to make comments to people I don’t even know. (that’s a big one)
• In addition, sometimes I’ll go to a store where I know there’s a cashier.
• If I go to a fast food place, I’ll go inside to order because I have to talk to the cashier. (although with technology, their making that very difficult).
• Driving used to make me anxious, but I conquered that with Exposure Therapy.
• Additionally, I try to START the conversation, especially with family and friends.
• I try to stop the “all or none” thinking. I go all in on something, instead of not doing it at all .
• Lastly, this is important. If you feel like something is “off”, talk to your doctor. I recently made a change from Cymbalta to Trazodone. It’slike night and day. I didn’t realize I was living in a depression until I changed meds to help me sleep.

So, I’m trying to interact with more people in the same store I feel comfortable in. Different people, same suroundings. Eventually, I’ll branch out to more stores.

The important thing is not to back down. Keep pushing yourself no matter how unconfortable you feel. And believe me, you’re going to feel really uncontfortable at first.

But, it does get easier with time. “Time heals everything.”

Social Isolation Symptoms

Fading voices: the struggle against depression and loneliness presents it’s way with many symptoms.

Accordingly, social isolation can manifest in various ways, and individuals may experience a range of symptoms.

Here are some common signs:

• Emotional Symptoms:
  • Firstly, Feelings of loneliness or emptiness
  • Increased sadness or depression
  • Anxiety or heightened stress levels
  • Irritability or mood swings
• Behavioral Symptoms:
  • Withdrawal from social activities or events
  • Reduced communication with friends and family
  • Avoidance of social situations
  • Lastly, Changes in sleep patterns, such as insomnia or excessive sleeping
• Physical Symptoms:
  • Fatigue or low energy
  • Changes in appetite or weight
  • Increased susceptibility to illness
  • Neglecting personal hygiene or self-care
• Cognitive Symptoms:
  • Firstly, Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
  • Negative thinking patterns or pessimism
  • Feelings of worthlessness or low self-esteem
• Social Symptoms:
  • Lack of interest in forming new relationships
  • Difficulty maintaining existing friendships
  • Lastly, Feeling disconnected from others or the community

If any of these symptoms resonate with you, please seek out a health professional of if it becomes unbearable, dial 988 (Suicide Hotline)

Depression and Self Isolation

Self isolation is not the anxswer to depression. Altogether, it just makes it a lot worse. I know from first hand experience.

Since I’ve been going to more places, my depression has somewhat lifted. The more interaction I get, the better I feel about myself.

My homelife is even improving. I’ve been communicating more with my dad, which makes me very happy. Even the little things can make a big difference.

As a result, communication is the opposite to isolation. You need to communicate more to those around you. Even if it’s just a simple sentence or saying “hello.”

You initiate the conversation. It means a whole lot more. But if they initiate it, that’s ok too. Just try to keep the conversation going.

What Causes Someone to Isolate Themselves?

Fading voices: the struggle against depression and loneliness is caused be ones low self-confidence. What caused me to isolate: Fear.

Fear of the unknown and the outside world. The “what if’s” came into play. Basically, if you isolate long enough, you begin to fear everything.

You create this bubble in which you stay in and it protects you (or so you think). Your not protected by anything and eventually you have to leave.

Consequently, the bubble starts to become weaker and weaker. Eventually, you have to make a choice: suffer from the depression and anxiety or go back to living your life.

I chose the latter of the two. Comparatively, I’m fighting back because I don’t want to live in that lonely, soul-sucking bubble anymore. It’s time for a change. I know you can do it too.

Just slowly put one foot in front of the other, like learning how to walk again. Subsequently, this time, you’re learning how to live again.

What Happens if You Isolate Yourself for Too Long?

At length, I believe I never got to the “isolating too long” point because I am still alive. If I would have stayed on that path, I would have been on that path of in-and-out of the hospital.

I don’t want to do that again, so I did something about it, I changed my mindset. Contrarily, from depressed and isolating to living free from constrants of emotional baggage.

Therefore, I want you to experience this. I’m determined to kick you in the but until you leave your own bubble. There is no fear great enough to stop you.

I still have depressive days (for example, this morning) , but I took that and turned it around to be of help to those that are suffering from depression and isolation.

In my book, there is not a good enough excuse why you should be depressed and dwell on everything in your isolation. In other words, “Get out of the house!!“

How Does Living With a Depressed Person Affect You?

Undoubtedly, I think my family didn’t know how to speak to me. Or maybe they didn’t want to say the wrong thing. I can’t read minds, so…

At the same time, I’ve never asked and don’t care to. As far as I’m concerned, that’s in the past. No sense in dwelling on it. My mind is looking towards the future.

It affected me greatly by no one talking to me. It made me isolate even more. I felt like I wasn’t good enough for anyone to talk to me anymore.

I was the lowest of lows. Likewise, that’s in the past. I don’t harbor any ill feelings because that doesn’t do anyone any favors.

Should You Leave a Depressed Person Alone?

Fading voices: the struggle against depression and loneliness is extremely lonely when no one talks to you. I would say no.

At length, I bet that person really needs someone to talk to but is afraid of just starting the conversation. What I mean is, maybe the other person has to initiate the conversation.

It’s difficult to start a conversation when you don’t know what to say. Or your afraid of repurcussions. You don’t know what the other person is going to say.

You might have been isolating for so long, you’re afraid of everything. When someone does talk to you, you want to run and hide in your bubble.

So, how do we change that? Implement my stradegies towards the beginning of this post. I’m not guanteeing it’s going to work, but it’s a start.

6 Depression Traps

Fading voices: the struggle against depression and loneliness can fall into traps.

Depression traps vary from person to person, but what they have in common is that they can lower your mood, driving a vicious cycle.

Likewise, here are six behavioral pitfalls that often come with depression – and how you can steer clear of them as you and your doctor and therapist work on getting back on track.

Depression Trap #1: Social Withdrawal

Especially, social withdraw is one of the biggest no-no’s because that leads to complete isolation. Then you have to do what I’m doing, slowly intigrating myself back into society.

I won’t lie to you, it’s scary as hell! But the more I do it, the easier it gets. Kind of like riding a bike. I’m at the point where I’m somewhat comfortable with it.

I still have setbacks, but I’m not letting those stop me. I’m determined to be free from depression once again. To live a life according to me, not depression or anxiety.

Depression Trap #2: Rumination

Consequently, you do a lot of rumination when you’re isolating. That’s because you’ve got so much time on your hands, your mind gets bored.

Rumination refers to the process of continuously thinking about the same thoughts, often negative or distressing ones.

Indeed, it involves reflecting on past events, problems, or feelings without moving towards a resolution. This repetitive thinking can lead to increased anxiety, depression, and emotional distress.

There are two primary types of rumination:

• Reflective Rumination: Further, this can be constructive, as it involves thoughtful consideration of problems or experiences, potentially leading to insights and solutions.
• Brooding Rumination: However, this is more negative and involves dwelling on problems and feelings of sadness or hopelessness, which can exacerbate mental health issues.

Also, rumination can affect one’s ability to focus, make decisions, and engage in daily activities.

Depression Trap #3: Self-Medicating With Alcohol

My mother did that, I chose not to go down that path. Besides, I don’t even like alcohol.

For fear that I saw what it did to my mother, I won’t touch it no matter how difficult my life becomes. You won’t find any alcoholic here.

I’ve seen what it can do to people and families when it’s abused. It’s not a pretty site. Some people think alcohol is the answer to all of their problems.

It’s just like a round-about. You drink-you get sober-swear off drinking-something happens-you drink again. Even more, you just keep drinking yourself into oblivian.

Please don’t use alcohol as a crutch. It becomes the broken part of your body (or mind) that you needed the crutch for in the first place.

Depression Trap #4: Skipping Exercise

I’m bad, I don’t exercise. I keep saying I’m going to go for walks and I don’t. Balanced against, I think my mindset is wrapped around the Parkinson’s because my muscles are sore.

And I’m consistently sitting, which really isn’t good for me. You know what, I’m going to take a break and go for a walk. It’s beautiful out.

Ok, I went for an 18 minute walk. Now it’s your turn. Regardless, I’m going to increase the amount of time everyday little by little.

I know they say that a 20 minute walk will help you lose weight. God knows I need that. But I’m also doing it for psychological reasons.

Subsequently, I want to keep my moment for “good mood” going so I don’t fall back into the isolation pit again.

Depression Trap #5: Seeking Sugar Highs

Fading voices: the struggle against depression and loneliness can find comfort in food. I’m constantly craving sweets.

I started buying ice cream again and I haven’t bought any in a couple of years.

Certainly, I hope that’s not going to be a problem. I’m already fat enough because of it. About 5 years ago, I was eating nonstop ice cream day and night.

I’d even go down to the Jewel (open 24 hours) and get some because I ran out. I was equating ice cream with feeling good. Instead I was getting a gut.

So, my sugar highs were my escape from the depression. That and Diet Coke. I was drinking that like it was going out of style.

Depression Trap #6: Doomscrolling

When you’re depressed, it’s easy to zone out by constantly checking social media and doomscrolling on your phone. Everyone does that.

Nonetheless, what would life be if we didn’t have social media. I can tell you I was outside playing with my friends. Now, even kids before teenage years has a phone.

And what’s the first thing they check…social media. I shouldn’t say anything, I do the same thing. Moreover, the first thing in the morning I go to Facebook.

Obviously, we’re so conditioned to it that it becomes automatic. And then, we keep scrolling and scrolling, not looking for anything in particular. Mindlessly, endlessly scrolling.

Sum It All Up

Fading voices: the struggle against depression and loneliness is possible to eliminate.

There are ways to get out of depression and isolation, but you have to follow your plan of action. For this reason, don’t do one thing and then go back to your regular routine of isolation.

You have to make a commitment to yourself that your going to follow that plan. It may be difficult in the beginning, but that’s ok. You’ll get through it.

It gets easier with each step that you take forward. Kind of like baby steps. Notwithstanding, a whole new world will open up to you. You’ll see through rose colored glasses.

So, if you want to break free of depression and isolation, follow esposure therapy. That way you can judge how fast you want to proceed. Until next time…

Articles About Depression and Isolation

-Why Do People Isolate Themselves, and What Are the Effects on Mental Health?

https://williamsburgtherapygroup.com/blog/why-do-people-isolate-themselves#:~:text=Certain%20mental%20health%20conditions%20can,us%20to%20feel%20socially%20isolated.

-Depressive symptoms are associated with social isolation in face-to-face interaction networks

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-58297-9

-Don’t Let Depression Lead to Isolation

https://reallifecounseling.us/blog/dont-let-depression-lead-to-isolation

Have a Good One,

Cindee Murphy
“One Voice Silenced Through The Isolation”

“Solitude, isolation, are painful things and beyond human endurance.”-Jules Verne

“If you go deeper and deeper into your own heart, you’ll be living in a world with less fear, isolation and loneliness.”-Sharon Salzberg

“I rent houses in LA when I’m filming. I find the isolation there terrifying. There’s nowhere to go, there’s nowhere to be with people.” – Kathleen Turner

“Each of us is now electronically connected to the globe, and yet we feel utterly alone.” – Dan Brown

“Nobody enjoys the company of others as intensely as someone who usually avoids the company of others.” – Mokokoma Mokhonoana

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