Being with someone you like helps a lot, so does support. I think its a thing that people with family and friends have no real idea of, being totally alone for weeks on end. At least I have one friend for which I am thankful for but still am alone for most of the time. Trying to make friends online has been an even bigger disaster and almost always ends in failure making me feel disliked and CONFIRMING ALL NEGATIVE THOUGHTS. They then blame you for not going out to get friends or relationships as...

I still have no real concept of small talk, I hear other people do it and know it goes on but it’s like hearing them speak Swedish and wondering what they are really going on about. Sometimes even when people occasionally spoke to me first I answered them and they looked like I had said something insulting and then moved on. This happened many times but one that springs to mind was when I went to see the queen visit a few years ago. I was taking pictures when an attractive woman said something quite...

I have heard quite a bit about men’s mental health recently on TV as if it is distinctly different to that of women. Zoë Ball was on TV only last night doing a sponsored bike ride in memory of her partner who had depression and committed suicide last year. The most common theme is that men are far more reserved and less likely to talk about their feelings and also seek help than women. That’s true to a point. I have still not been to a doctor for instance despite a lifetime of misery and failure...

This question often comes up quite regularly on anxiety forums "What advice would you give your younger self?" Its a hard one. I try not to go for the more pessimistic one of killing myself to stop future pain. Of course this is still dependant of what happens but at the moment to say my future looks bleak is a huge understatement and the last 30 years have been pretty shit as well. This is not depression talking whatever people may say. Lots of life is shit and does get worse. There...

[B]1. Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions[/B]

What? Yes, Where am I? Up shit creek most of the time. My memory is not so good any more. I forget things or care.

[B]2. Fatigue and decreased energy[/B]

Yes, I feel exhausted now and dont go out much. I have become much more avoidant and often dont speak to other people for weeks. I would use SAUK more but I l always feel as comfortable here as Jeremy Corbyn at the friends...