Since the seventh grade I’ve had absolutely no friends. Within my eighth grade year, I became severely depressed and my grades had dropped dramatically. I stopped eating, I isolated myself from everyone, I stopped attending school and I became very suicidal. As I entered my ninth grade year I had this sudden, profound confidence that I had never experienced before and had made several friends; however, I soon became depressed and stopped talking to them. Further on, I was diagnosed with anxiety and bipolar disorder. Initially I was just diagnosed with anxiety, but as I was put on celexa (an antidepressant) I entered a manic episode and completely lost my grip from their on out. After my manic episode, I had become severly depressed once again. I became suicidal, I started cutting myself, I stopped eating and I once again found myself lonely and friendless. I’m not sure what to do or where to go. I’ve tried seeking support through family and therapy, but my family refuses to discuss what happened and believes I use my mental illness as an excuse to behave poorly, while therapy just feels like a twisted mind game of confession then pain. Aside from everything that has been going on in my head, I’ve managed to mantain a 3.91 GPA throughout my freshman year (unweighted GPA) and I’ve planned an immensely busy schedule sophomore year: Honors English, AP Biology, AP Art, Advanced Precalculus, AP World History, etc. I’m just trying to hold on and keep my grip. I’m not sure what to do. Also, I’ve pretty much destroyed all my close relationships. For example, my stepfather refuses to talk to me and won’t take me to any of my appointments, so I’ve been missing them. I’m not sure what to! Drugs don’t work, I can’t seem to find support and my moods keep swinging. I just need some friends, or at least a friend. And, I did join several after school activites, but I had to stop going because I have to watch my three younger siblings. One of which has a learning disability, and the other two are quite young: 6 and 1. I just need a friend! Please! Advice?
First step is absolutely to find someone to talk to about all this. Can you reach out to your guidance counselor or a trusted teacher?
Getting back on track with your meds and therapy is next. I’ve heard it can take a while to find the right drug and dosage, so don’t give up hope yet. Hopefully the guidance counselor can help you persuade your parents to drive you to your appointments or to find another way for you to get there. Those are important.
What does your mom think about you missing your appointments?
You’re doing really well in school! Congrats! I would guess that this upcoming year, you will be exposed to new people who are similarly intelligent and friendly. That was my experience as high school went on–as I was allowed to take more AP classes, I met more of the “AP crowd,” whose company I enjoyed. Have faith! Friends will happen.
You’ve certainly been through a lot, and it is super impressive that you have made it this far while keeping up your grades and caring for your siblings. I hope things start to look up for you. Feel free to message me if you want or need to. I’m a rising sophomore in college who also had a bit of a rough time making friends this past year.
Good luck!!
^ study groups etc. Can help bond and form friends. Just make sure to not lose them again! It sounds like you can make them (like 9 th grade) if you try so just convince yourself to be confident and try to maintain a positive outside appearance (hide depression at home) until friendship helps reduce it. It is easier said than done but I think you an accomplish it by being proactive and confident, even if it means tricking yourself
I had no friends and then when i got friends i decided i liked it better when i had no friends and stoped talking to all of them and concentrated on getting good grades… Gpa raised from 2.6 to 3.6.
Misread. Oops.
You seem like an intelligent dude so finding friends wouldn’t be so difficult. Aim making friends in classes that you enjoy especially the higher level courses such as AP. Another alternative would be joining a club at your school that you feel would have people that share your common interests, or create a club! The possibilities are endless but that’s what I can list for now. When you think it’s necessary, please feel free to message me. Remember College Confidential (CC) is a Caring Community not a Crazy Competition lol
Hi again! I don’t know if you’ve come back to read the responses yet, but I was browsing through your past posts and saw that you like writing.
I do too, and through writing I have met some cool people. Is there a creative writing club, book club, or school newspaper you could join? Have you tried any writing communities online (fanfiction, original fiction, poetry, etc. can all be found on different websites)? I have a friend who runs a writing blog on Tumblr. (I’d like to start one too, but between my part-time job and summer classes…sigh.) Another writes fanfiction for the TV show Castle, and she has “met” many people who share her interests. The internet is a pretty great resource for sharing, reading, and editing.