Loneliness and schizophrenia: How do you cope?

Patrick Johnson8, look, I don't think you have some kind of disorder. My take is that you’re just an incredibly sensitive person who lacks certain social skills—maybe you approach people without expecting trust, or you struggle with eye contact... and because of that, you can't quite channel your sensitivity properly. Most people don't know how to handle that, so you end up getting rejected. Your reaction, if you ask me, is just a reaction to that rejection.
Since you're actually perfectly fine, you don't need medical treatment; a little bit of optimism would go a long way! Social skills are just muscles you build through practice. Try making eye contact, give someone a smile, and just observe how they react. Just be yourself, no matter how different you feel, as long as you lead with a smile and show a genuine interest in what they have to say.
If you still find it difficult, maybe seeing a therapist could help you work through it.

mistyranger42 said:And honestly, some people just lack the social skills or the social intelligence to actually build and keep connections... or they're just boring, I guess.

So, do you actually know what a vulnerable personality structure is?

Some people try to make contact with others, but it doesn't really work out for them...

There’s actually a lot more of that than people realize. I mean, do you have even one close friend you actually feel okay with?
I doubt anyone can actually have ten true friends. Maybe you know a dozen people, but those are usually just surface-level things. Real friendship takes so much work and time to build, so it seems kind of crazy to think someone has ten actual best friends.
If you don't have a pet yet, maybe get one? Pets help lower stress and just make life better, I think. A turtle, a bird, or a rabbit isn't that hard to take care of, but they give back so much.🙂
I have this really stubborn rabbit.😍
But, I guess, hanging out with an animal shouldn't be seen as a total replacement for being around people.
The bond with an animal is just... it's totally different from a bond with another person.

Now this caught me off guard! 😲
I actually have a ton of true friends. 🙂 Sure, I put a lot of work into them, but it’s not some impossible task. It's definitely doable.
Plus, I have a dog, and we're basically best buddies!!! 👋

🙂

Patrick Johnson8 said:My best friend is a complicated guy. He’s sharp, knows how to work a room, and gets along with everyone... I often feel like he only hangs out with me because he’s bored, and honestly, I can tell he looks down on me. Hard to blame him, though. I don't really have any qualities people tend to value. I just have the ones nobody cares about. Patience is one of them.

I feel lonely because I really am just built differently. How do I put it... if there’s a basket of Hershey’s bars and one single Lindt truffle, I’m picking the Lindt just because I want to see what it’s like. Everyone else just grabs the Hershey’s because that's what they're used to.
Obviously, you shouldn't lose hope. I haven't. At least, I don't think I have.
I spend my time browsing the web.😢
I like wolves, cats, cows, pigs, sheep... especially birds. But I can't keep them in my apartment.

So, you mean a popular, charming type?
I guess you actually like those traits—the charm and being quick-witted, right?
Maybe try working on those things yourself? You could practice in low-stakes situations, like, I don't know, cracking a little joke to the cashier at Target when you're buying something.
And hey, patience is actually a huge deal. Smart people really value that.
But I suppose the thing about socializing is that people naturally gravitate toward folks who are easy to be around—people with those smaller virtues, like kindness, a good mood, or just being approachable and charming.
A lot of people who have tons of deep, meaningful qualities aren't actually "popular" because they haven't developed those lighter social skills.

Patrick Johnson8 said:My best friend is a complicated guy. He’s sharp, knows how to work a room, and gets along with everyone... I often feel like he only hangs out with me because he’s bored, and honestly, I can tell he looks down on me. Hard to blame him, though. I don't really have any qualities people tend to value. I just have the ones nobody cares about. Patience is one of them.

I feel lonely because I really am just built differently. How do I put it... if there’s a basket of Hershey’s bars and one single Lindt truffle, I’m picking the Lindt just because I want to see what it’s like. Everyone else just grabs the Hershey’s because that's what they're used to.
Obviously, you shouldn't lose hope. I haven't. At least, I don't think I have.
I spend my time browsing the web.😢
I like wolves, cats, cows, pigs, sheep... especially birds. But I can't keep them in my apartment.

That example you gave... I guess it shows you're curious. You seem to have this adventurous streak, like you think for yourself instead of just following the crowd. You actually enjoy being an individual and not just another face in the pack, which is honestly a great way to be.
People with those traits are often natural leaders, though they usually pair them with stuff like confidence, charm, or persistence...
Surfing the web is the path of least resistance, I guess. But someone who’s curious enough to pick the "different" chocolate should probably use that curiosity to find an activity that gets them out there and interacting with people.
There are all kinds of nonprofits where you could volunteer; helping others might actually help you too. There are even animal shelters, which would let you be around animals.
Maybe look into that.🙂
Real friends are out there waiting to meet you, but they aren't going to just jump out of your computer screen. You kind of have to take a step toward them.
Oh, and another thought—if you hit it off with someone on a forum and you've talked quite a bit, maybe suggest meeting up. If they're around your age, just ask without being pushy. And if they say no, don't take it hard. People can be cautious, but plenty of people meet online and become real-life friends.

Just keep knocking... I guess eventually a door will open.

Thanks for the advice, mistyranger42. You make some good points. I'll give it some thought...
Was at a birthday party yesterday. A decent crowd, but there I was, just sitting there, chain-smoking one cigarette after another.
Heading offline now. Take it easy, everyone.

I’m currently dealing with an acute psychotic disorder—basically schizophrenia symptoms. I’ve been pretty much alone my entire life; I actually love people, but for some reason, they just don't seem to vibe with me. Things are okay right now since I’ve only had one episode so far, but honestly, "normal" people can't wrap their heads around what we go through. I’ve even been blamed for being sick, which is wild—it’s something I inherited from my dad, who deals with chronic schizophrenia. I'm genuinely terrified about what comes next. My living situation is pretty rough, and I don't have many friends—just some acquaintances—and I’m scared I’ll end up losing them too. But then again, if I have to lie about who I am just to keep them around, what kind of friendship is that even supposed to be? It’s all just... really heavy right now.

I honestly think we all hit those stretches where loneliness just settles in—that heavy, quiet feeling. When you're in that headspace, I’ve found the best move is to dive into something creative to fill the void until you actually feel ready to face the world again. Whether it’s sketching, getting lost in a notebook, or picking up a camera, you need an outlet. It’s really about self-investment, too—learning to actually enjoy your own company and working on your own growth. Because let’s be real: if you’re a bore to yourself, you aren't going to be much fun for anyone else either.

Lawrence Rodriguez27 said:Does isolation contribute to schizophrenia? In my view, it certainly does. When an individual is isolated, they tend to dwell on thoughts and patterns that they wouldn't normally encounter in social settings. This solitude can lead to skewed perceptions and erroneous conclusions, which may ultimately result in severe consequences...☕

I find myself wondering if I would sooner succumb to a complete mental breakdown than ever label myself a "social butterfly." To endure the staggering, relentless onslaught of human stupidity that constantly bombards those who consider themselves extroverts, one truly requires an iron stomach. They possess such fortitude simply because their temperaments are fundamentally different from my own, but as for me? To throw myself into the chaotic depths of vast, diverse social circles—no, thank you.

I used to do it all—writing, photography, the whole nine yards—until things just went completely off the rails and I ended up hospitalized. Now? I’ve got zero drive left. Honestly, I feel pretty worthless sometimes because there’s this underlying sense of schizophrenia running through my head. People don't give me much respect either, mostly just because my dad deals with schizophrenia too. Living in a tiny town doesn't help—my social circle is basically non-existent, and I only see people once in a blue moon. I'm not a bad person by any means, I just feel like I've been dealt a losing hand. I'm not hitting those acute symptoms right now, but I'm terrified of what's coming next. I'm just... listless. My life feels like a glass dropped on a tile floor—just shattered into a million little pieces.

placidridge said:I used to do it all—writing, photography, the whole nine yards—until things just went completely off the rails and I ended up hospitalized. Now? I’ve got zero drive left. Honestly, I feel pretty worthless sometimes because there’s this underlying sense of schizophrenia running through my head. People don't give me much respect either, mostly just because my dad deals with schizophrenia too. Living in a tiny town doesn't help—my social circle is basically non-existent, and I only see people once in a blue moon. I'm not a bad person by any means, I just feel like I've been dealt a losing hand. I'm not hitting those acute symptoms right now, but I'm terrified of what's coming next. I'm just... listless. My life feels like a glass dropped on a tile floor—just shattered into a million little pieces.

I get it. Being lonely is a heavy burden. Most people react like wild animals, yet they pretend to be civilized. They are hypocrites. We need to find beauty within ourselves. It would be helpful if we actually had a leader who encouraged us instead of tearing us down.

Andrew Wood5 said:I get it. Being lonely is a heavy burden. Most people react like wild animals, yet they pretend to be civilized. They are hypocrites. We need to find beauty within ourselves. It would be helpful if we actually had a leader who encouraged us instead of tearing us down.

Go ahead and tell me a bit about yourself—it's always nice to actually talk to someone. You feeling pretty lonely too?🙂🙂

placidridge said:Go ahead and tell me a bit about yourself—it's always nice to actually talk to someone. You feeling pretty lonely too?🙂🙂

Cut it out, man. People usually just jump down your throat when you start talking about yourself.☕

Andrew Wood5 said:Cut it out, man. People usually just jump down your throat when you start talking about yourself.☕

Thanks for the lesson, though I guess I’m just a slow learner. You hang out with people, get close, and then the moment you share something personal, they just shut you out—yeah, totally fair. I guess I'm still stuck in that wide-eyed, cartoon-logic phase of life where everything works out perfectly. Maybe I should try growing up.

placidridge said:Thanks for the lesson, though I guess I’m just a slow learner. You hang out with people, get close, and then the moment you share something personal, they just shut you out—yeah, totally fair. I guess I'm still stuck in that wide-eyed, cartoon-logic phase of life where everything works out perfectly. Maybe I should try growing up.

Peace out to you too. Anyway, I'm gonna step away from this thread and go back to my own little world. People are just trash—you try to be social and it backfires every time. Honestly, I'm starting to think being totally unhinged is just the only sane way to react to how messed up this world is.

placidridge said:Peace out to you too. Anyway, I'm gonna step away from this thread and go back to my own little world. People are just trash—you try to be social and it backfires every time. Honestly, I'm starting to think being totally unhinged is just the only sane way to react to how messed up this world is.

Believe whatever helps you sleep at night.😁