Sorry for such an overly sentimental post; I just felt like sharing...

I’m a 19-year-old guy. I don’t have a girlfriend or any friends at all, and I often feel quite lonely. My moderate depression doesn’t make the situation any better, either.

But today, a sweet video popped up in my Instagram feed - a father playing with his daughter and her stuffed animals. The comments were lovely too. After that, Instagram started showing me more videos like that - people sharing sweet, innocent moments about their relationships, their children, and so on. It made me so happy...

You see, most of what I’d been seeing in my feed lately was pretty toxic, so this shift in my recommendations felt like a breath of fresh air. I sometimes hear that seeing happy couples makes lonely people feel sad, but that’s not how it works for me - if anything, I find myself energized by their happiness. I just hope that one day, I’ll have someone in my life whom I can love just as deeply.

Have a great day everyone!

Hi a little background info about me is that I come from a well off background not too well off just enough to replace an old fridge. Lately I've been hurting myself for a while now, and I only do it when I'm stressed out.

I've been going to therapy and I feel a lot better however I told my best friend about it and she said that she doesn't understand how I could get depressed because I'm more financially stable than everyone else in school (I got a government scholarship so my family only needs to pay half the school fee) and that I'm more privileged than they are. She also said that she goes through a lot of things but she never once thought about hurting herself and that I'm selfish for doing so. My friend asked me what else I could ask for and I felt really guilty for ever thinking about it.

I felt really bad about it, like I didn't deserve the scholarship and that I'm depriving the future of someone less fortunate than me. I'm depriving my friends future. I haven't been able to sleep well because I keep thinking that I don't deserve going to see a therapist so I asked my family if I can stop seeing the therapist.

My grandmother died from cancer just three weeks ago...i regret not spending enough time with her, i regret being a selfish teenager who couldn't understand the depth of what was really going to happen. She died, right infront of my eyes, i remember every single second. I can barley get to school anymore, and i'm going to a new school were i have to catch a train at 6:30, and a bus...i'm still harming myself, and very severely. I feel so lonely, and so empty. Nothing even feels real anymore. Everyone thinks im getting better, but im not. I get random hate comments on my innocent posts, and im so so sensitive that it hurts me. Im trying, and i've tried, its been a year since my attempt, and i dont feel any better, i feel worse. It all doesnt even hurt, its just numb. And i really need some kind words, even just a one word comment, or a full sentence or paragraph, it doesn't matter. I just need some genuine words said to me, just anything.

If so, what effect did it ultimately have on you?

I just made some realizations recently. I am realizing how non-normal and weird my years of isolation and social phobia gas been.

Since growing up, i always has been the odd one who feared talking to people around me ( bullying ) and like the boiling pot frog story, what is absolutely sad and abnormal for others became my default setting of my frustrating everyday life.

I always sleep alone and i dont know how to connect with people at church and in my community.

I am having dark thoughts these last years because of taking counciousness of all my regrets and wasted youth. I feel discouraged and very frustrated at my social awkwardness. I see no light at the end of the tunnel.

A 24 years old helpless frog.

i have BPD and major obsessive issues and i struggle with understanding permanence even in distance. i feel like such a selfish human being as my boyfriend is going through a hard time and i keep making it about myself because i dont know how to cope. hes been distant for the last few days and i have no one to talk to about it and i’m just so lonely, i think im under psychosis right now and i just need to vent to someone or get some advice, please.

So my uni wants to host an event where we talk with students about how to regulate their emotions and deal with the excessive stress we experience in college, we will also be having a psychologist join us as a guest.

Can yall help me with ideas for the event? Like what exactly do we talk about what objectives should we set for students, I’m trying to plan the day but I’m having a hard time doing so, I really hope my post is relevant here in this community

Hi, I recently did something terrible (nothing like murder) and in turn have lost my career and hurt everyone around me. I have taken steps towards bettering myself but I still feel incredibly isolated and upset. I've spent these past years building all these close friendships and it saddens me that none of them were willing to give me a second chance and instantly jumped ship. Essentially I got cancelled. I feel betrayed and It feels like such a waste where I can't even cherish the happy moments Ive made with these people anymore. It's clear I'm not welcome anymore, and I need to move on but I'm struggling, so any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

I’m going to be honest because I need what I need, and I’m too afraid to seek it in the real world. I’m too afraid of people altogether, even this is tough. I’ve had many accounts on Reddit but I’ve never posted, simply because of fear of judgement, or rejection, or already coming from a place of not belonging. I need to talk to a woman. I’m a 21 year old man since September 15th and have had no maternal guidance in life since, well even before I left home and I’m beginning to recognize the void that’s left in my life. And before you think I’m psycho or something, no I did not come here seeking a mother. I came here seeking a strong feminine voice in my life, for the reason mentioned earlier, and that throughout my life, I haven’t had good experiences with men. I have an easier time talking to women, and I have things I need to talk about, and someone who doesn’t make me feel like I’m weak or foolish for hurting. So if there’s someone out there who this isn’t too weird for, please know your response is appreciated more than the expenditure of words merits.

You guys also get that feeling of feeling helpless and not even knowing why? Like out of nowhere? Heavy chest, mood drop and upset? Idk someone help me 😂

I had an incredibly distressing experience with Dr. Dokucu at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center’s Interventional Psychiatry department. His lack of empathy toward a vulnerable psychiatric patient was shocking.
I sought help for treatment-resistant bipolar depression, hoping to explore options after struggling to find relief. The resident who initially met with me was wonderful: kind, attentive, and genuinely helpful. Unfortunately, the atmosphere changed the moment Dr. Dokucu entered.
I found him cold and dismissive. Rather than having a collaborative conversation about my options, he strongly pushed electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), leaving me feeling pressured instead of informed.
ECT uses an electrical current to induce a seizure under general anesthesia. While it can be effective and even lifesaving, it carries real risks, including temporary confusion and memory problems, and in some cases lasting gaps in autobiographical memory. ECT also has a troubling history: it was once administered without modern anesthesia and sometimes without meaningful consent, including coercive use in psychiatric institutions. Modern ECT is very different, but that history makes informed consent and respect for patient autonomy especially important.
I am not opposed to ECT or evidence-based treatment. I wanted a thoughtful discussion of the benefits, risks, and alternatives, with space to ask questions and express concerns.
As Dr. Dokucu continued speaking, I became increasingly overwhelmed and began having a panic attack. This was the worst part of the appointment. Instead of slowing down, acknowledging my distress, or giving me a moment to regain my composure, he continued delivering information as though I could fully absorb it.
I was having a panic attack IN A PSYCHIATRIC CLINIC, in front of a psychiatrist, and felt completely unsupported. I experienced no meaningful attempt to comfort me or adapt the conversation to my emotional state. I felt spoken at, not spoken with.
I did not expect him to agree with every concern I raised or avoid difficult treatment recommendations. I expected basic compassion, patience, and an understanding that someone in acute distress may not be able to process complex medical information.
Patients seeking interventional psychiatric care are often already exhausted by years of unsuccessful treatments. They deserve to feel safe, heard, and involved in decisions about their own care. The resident demonstrated that kind of professionalism. In my experience, Dr. Dokucu did not.
In my opinion, a physician who cannot respond empathetically to a patient experiencing a panic attack should not be working with vulnerable psychiatric patients. Clinical expertise is no substitute for compassionate care.
I left feeling shaken and more distressed than when I arrived. I would not recommend Dr. Dokucu to anyone seeking collaborative, patient-centered psychiatric care.

Im in a dead end minimum wage job at 23. I fell for the scam that is college and majored in something i thought would be worthwhile but was really stupid in hindsight. Ive somehow locked myself out of every job a high school dropout can do from what i can tell given ive easily sennt out 1500 apps in the past 2 years and im still stuck here. People talk about what they want in life like settling down, having hobbies, growing old but i dont imagine ill make it to 40 with where i am and the state of the world. I just keep lying to myself that everything will be ok but i know deep down it wont. As soon as my family has had enough of me and makes me move out some day ill be as good as dead given i live in a rural area with no resources for the homeless (this is honestly probablly a good thing ultimately though so my suffering wont be dragged out).

I literally have zero plans for life or goals even out just 10 years from now, i really have no idea how ill live that long. Absolute best case scenario is i work minimum wage till i die at 80 all alone while being homeless and never being able to retire since retirement in general is becoming a thing of the past.

My son is 16 he has behavior issues tonight was a blow out over internet 😒 tried to get physical with me my husband had to step in. I love my son he has odd and adhd when he has a episode its always big aggressive and destructive.. This time I dont even know why he was breaking stuff trying to push past my husband to attack me. I sprayed him with dog spray on my key chain. I actually dont know how to feel now, ambulance came checked him out I made him go blind in one eye for a period of time. Am I wrong? Did I go too far ? All this was over the internet and ohh I could have been charged! I have never had a criminal record i love my son i also have three more kids younger that need me. What would you do in my situation? Am I wrong ? I didnt know it would hurt him like that ive had the spay over a year never used it. I just feel ashamed of myself as a parent I hurt my child yes he was out of control but I dunno I just need to talk to someone. Thanks in advance also just be honest my sons 16 im 36 im trying with him.

I feel so blocked, stiff and too much self conscious that I dont know what to do 😢

Im caring about everything and at same time i dont have self worth at all.

What have I done with my life my brain my everything. I really lost myself and dont know who i am. I am shattered in small pieces all the time 😭

I keep seeing the sentiment (irl & online) that one needs to be mentally healthy & essentially have no traces of bad upbringing left.

" you have to work on yourself, people can tell...& it puts them off"

Does being depressed make one unlovable? I mean I get it, no one wants to deal with that. It's just disheartening & kind of a self fulfilling prophecy, you're depressed that no one really loves you & no one really loves you because you're depressed.

What makes it worse, is if you don't have family, because there TRULY isn't anyone who loves you.

I cant believe I'm venting on reddit but idk where else to go.

My mental health has plumeted. And its been like that for months.

I'm trying to hold on and let it pass but its so hard. I feel like i am going to have a heart attack or a stroke most of the time that's even if bad thoughts don't return.

Everything feels like its burning around me.

I’m about to finish my bachelor degree and for some reason i feel miserable. I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety at around 14 but haven’t struggled for a few years now. i really struggle with skin picking and it’s also really bad at the moment i don’t want to go out because of my face sores. i’ve also been picking all over my chest, arms and bottom of my feet. i was diagnosed with adhd at the start of this year and i tried bringing up the skin picking to my psychiatrist and he basically just said to wear gloves and cut my nails short. i’ve been struggling with picking for around 5 years now and it’s not getting better no matter what i try to do. i’ve always been a people pleaser and i think i have other signs of ocd. how to i go about getting diagnosed and treated for this in australia? any advice would be really appreciated :)

I lost my inner monologue. Im so blank that Im not able even to think. I lost that ability. I feel like I only am without anything on my side, no emotions, no ability to think, to judge, to not feel anything. I watch something but I dont remember it. I am here but not able to create, plan to be a human its like i deleted everything what feels human. im done.

Whenever I get stressed (which is usually from the moment I wake up, since I’m always stressed and I wake up with a pit in my stomach and my heart racing), I hear things that aren’t there. The majority of the time, it is people whispering my name, even if I’m in total silence. it feels like they’re creeping up behind me, whispering my name getting closer and closer, and it feels so real. sometimes, for a split second, it’s like my vision goes black and ive been zapped out of reality, or i see darkness in the corners of my eyes like some kind of figure but nothings there.

Also sometimes I feel like I’m not in my body, and when I speak, it’s not me speaking. I zone out and i don’t even realise what time has passed and I have no memory of what happened for the past hour. is all of this normal? will I grow out of it since I’m a teen?

I cry alot, not even in a particulary always sad way

I'll cry at happy things, sad things, memories, music

I think I've always cried alot

But I can't remember

I can't remember if I just started crying in my 20s

I remember crying on my 15th birthday cake. Sobbing. As the warped birthday song sung around me by few family faces. And on my 12th birthday

I think I'd always cry on my birthdays, on big occasions, when I'd have to go on excursions or away from home, when I was tired, I sobbed after my friends wedding I don't even know why.

Sometimes I cry multiple days in a row

But what is crying alot?.

I sure know I cry more then the people around me.

At least I think..

They tend to cry less frequently, usually after drinking, or when there's been pent up emotion.

But yeah I think I cry alot, I'm not quite sure.

I often cry alone, but sometimes not, because I think if people catch me crying they won't take it seriously, they won't think I'm actually sad, or that I just cry too much

Because how can a person feel so much

How much does everyone else cry, like how frequently?