Posted by Fi on December 17, 2001, at 11:19:55
In reply to isolation, posted by Mair on December 15, 2001, at 18:24:35
I dont know if its relevant, but I like an explanation I once heard re the introvert/ extrovert thing. Introverted people can certainly like other people but being with them uses up energy. Extroverts actually get energy from being with other people.
I liked it as it shows that for those of us who are maybe naturally introverted (as a personality thing rather than depression=illness thing), arent necessarily isolating ourselves cos we dont like other people or dont want contact, just that we cant do it all the time. Also helpful to realise that if your friends are extroverts they may find it difficult to understand you!
And of course if appearing normal is an effort, its no surprise wanting to be on your own so you dont have to keep up the effort.
Fi
> Thanks all of you who responded to my post. Depression is such an isolating illness, particularly since it doesn't always have a physical manifestation. The difficulty I have in figuring out how to draw on the support of others, and the energy i expend trying to maintain the pretense of normalcy, makes the isolation more acute.
>
It's understandable that when depressed we'd feel disconnected. What I struggle with sometimes, is having that same feeling even when I'm not as depressed. The worst feelings can go away, but it seems that I've conditioned myself to withdraw.
>
> Mair
poster:Fi
thread:15516
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20011216/msgs/15690.html