I think I've been in some sort of depressed slump lately.

[Pichu]

Listen, I apologize for the way you feel, and like a few others, I have felt this way.

It is tough during times like these, but what I did, was to randomly walk around populated areas. It does suck monkey f*** that everyone has a cell phone or something like that, and it hurts me too. But there are people out there that prefer physical presence. Go to some populate area, and talk about stuff YOU like. It doesnt matter if you're not into it atm, but find others who share your interests, and go from there. I guarantee that you will find some friends.

Also, I am 15, so I experienced this very early. The world isnt very kind to introverts.

Good luck.

[Dylan]

This has already been suggested, but my advice would be to join a group or become a part of something, create a sense of obligation outside of work. That'll make meeting people much easier, and really socializing is a learning process. As long as you have a decent personality, people won't mind having you around. My primary group of friends doesn't even share the same interests as me, but we all have compatible personalities and enjoy each other's company. Losing interest in things isn't uncommon, and I believe that once you get back into the swing of things you'll find that everything picks up an becomes enjoyable again. The biggest thing is that you really need to motivate yourself to create a change in your lifestyle, any time I've ever been in a slump it's almost never been someone else that brought me out of it.

And I know it's not a suggestion that people usually like to hear, but school is a great place to meet people and further your life as a whole. If you haven't graduated high school, you might consider finishing that up, or perhaps pursue higher learning at a local college. Only you know what's a good fit for yourself, but in general I would encourage anyone to attend school through college, as it can greatly increase your quality of life down the road.

[RCBH928]

I am not sure if there is a connection between videogames and depression, but its amazing how many people here are honest about being depressed, where depression shouldn't happen in the first place.

I think you can't focus because you are doing too much of the same thing. When you are home for 24 hours, you can't watch tv or listen to music because you did that for such a long time. Switch to someone who having been traveling and working 10 hours a day and he will be more than happy to play for 5-6 hours straight .

I can't fix depression and looks like no one can, but I can tell you few things.

First, if you feel bad don't wait for people's help, even if they do, it won't benefit you. What you should do is go out and help others. I am not sure how this works but if you help others you start feeling better about yourself. Join some kind of a charity or helping group. A ton of organizations exist to help the poor and the needy . Give it a shot, there are even some international organizations that will take you for 3rd world countries to aid people. Check it out. Maybe even start your own charity work.
Take a job at a kindergarden, even for free, its so nice to be around with kids they are so much fun.

Some one else suggested joining the military , I say against it. In the USA army you can easily get killed! You never know when you will be sent into action in Iraq or Afghanistan and have your body shattered into pieces due to some kind of explosion .

Second thing about socializing , just take it as a rule , all people are basically ass holes. Don't depend on them, and in addition, no matter how good a person is, sooner or later he will do something that will get on your nerves so learn to be flexible and forgive them. Also keep in mind, friends are of different kind. Some friends are people you just meet up with , some friends are the type you take their advice, other friends are the one's that are going to be there when you need them most, some friends are not friends they are just people you know. So the guy you talk to in your local club/bar is not necessarily the one you want to invite to your family dinner. So different people for different things.

I just watched a documentary from PBS called the emotional life, and basically it says the secret to being happy is to socialize. Its funny how it works, but some one who doesn't interact with others is more depressed than the one who does. I can confirm that from personal experience, if you stay too long alone you get depressed. If you get along with others you are more likely to have a good time. So you need to socialize and don't think you don't need people no matter how shitty they can get, in the end you do need them.

Communities is a great way to socialize ! Just like others suggested, joining a church, club, or even an online forum like this one that will do real life activities is a great way to meet people. I am not sure if you like sports, but if you can pick one up, cheer for your local team, attend the games in the stadium with other fans is great fun. I am not sure if such thing exists in America, but in Europe and else where in the world fans would gather in groups and do activities together, travel to away games together and so. Look it up online.

Last but not least, I am not sure why would you want to stay in doors while you are in a beautiful place like America. You have amusement parks, ponds, mountains, rivers, oceans, forests. When you are in a sandy place like mine, you start appreciating green grass, something you might take for granted. Its so hot here I can't even go out for a walk, I am forced to stay in doors. Greatest sights in the world are next to you, traveling to places like New York, Los Angeles, Vegas, and more are only $300-400 in ticket price and 5-7 hours in flight time. This year I am going to America , I will be paying thousands of dollars in ticket price and over a full day of traveling just to see such great places/cities that are so close to you. What will be a once in a life-time experience for me because its so far and expensive, you can do even on monthly basis because its so cheap and close to you.

The last thing you want to do is lock the doors on yourself, isolate the world, switch on your TV and stare at it. Your only 18, I am 26, I will do anything to go back just to 22. You have so much time to learn new skills, get a job experience, have a good education, build new relationships, and experience whats out there in the world.

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys, I've got a dentist's appointment tomorrow and after that I'll probably find some excuse to stay downtown for the rest of the day and get something done.

I was lucky enough last year to make a friend that helped me get out of the whole funk I was in, but I don't think he's caught on yet just how much I've been leaning on him for support and to get out of the downs and such.

As for those of you suggesting I get a cell phone, let me put it this way. If I ever get a phone (I've been eying the 3G brick phone for some time http://www.analoghero.com/brick_phone or some oter retro phone as I have a thing for green or amber LED screens) I'm going to forcibly make it so that I can't recieve texts or any of that extra "Social networking" bullshit. I'm an old-school guy who acts like I'm in my mid 30's despite my incredibly young age and honestly find texts to be one of the worst inventions ever.

Damn it all to hell, know I just feel old....

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

I am not sure if there is a connection between videogames and depression, but its amazing how many people here are honest about being depressed, where depression shouldn't happen in the first place.

I think you can't focus because you are doing too much of the same thing. When you are home for 24 hours, you can't watch tv or listen to music because you did that for such a long time. Switch to someone who having been traveling and working 10 hours a day and he will be more than happy to play for 5-6 hours straight .

I can't fix depression and looks like no one can, but I can tell you few things.

First, if you feel bad don't wait for people's help, even if they do, it won't benefit you. What you should do is go out and help others. I am not sure how this works but if you help others you start feeling better about yourself. Join some kind of a charity or helping group. A ton of organizations exist to help the poor and the needy . Give it a shot, there are even some international organizations that will take you for 3rd world countries to aid people. Check it out. Maybe even start your own charity work.
Take a job at a kindergarden, even for free, its so nice to be around with kids they are so much fun.

Some one else suggested joining the military , I say against it. In the USA army you can easily get killed! You never know when you will be sent into action in Iraq or Afghanistan and have your body shattered into pieces due to some kind of explosion .

Second thing about socializing , just take it as a rule , all people are basically ass holes. Don't depend on them, and in addition, no matter how good a person is, sooner or later he will do something that will get on your nerves so learn to be flexible and forgive them. Also keep in mind, friends are of different kind. Some friends are people you just meet up with , some friends are the type you take their advice, other friends are the one's that are going to be there when you need them most, some friends are not friends they are just people you know. So the guy you talk to in your local club/bar is not necessarily the one you want to invite to your family dinner. So different people for different things.

I just watched a documentary from PBS called the emotional life, and basically it says the secret to being happy is to socialize. Its funny how it works, but some one who doesn't interact with others is more depressed than the one who does. I can confirm that from personal experience, if you stay too long alone you get depressed. If you get along with others you are more likely to have a good time. So you need to socialize and don't think you don't need people no matter how shitty they can get, in the end you do need them.

Communities is a great way to socialize ! Just like others suggested, joining a church, club, or even an online forum like this one that will do real life activities is a great way to meet people. I am not sure if you like sports, but if you can pick one up, cheer for your local team, attend the games in the stadium with other fans is great fun. I am not sure if such thing exists in America, but in Europe and else where in the world fans would gather in groups and do activities together, travel to away games together and so. Look it up online.

Last but not least, I am not sure why would you want to stay in doors while you are in a beautiful place like America. You have amusement parks, ponds, mountains, rivers, oceans, forests. When you are in a sandy place like mine, you start appreciating green grass, something you might take for granted. Its so hot here I can't even go out for a walk, I am forced to stay in doors. Greatest sights in the world are next to you, traveling to places like New York, Los Angeles, Vegas, and more are only $300-400 in ticket price and 5-7 hours in flight time. This year I am going to America , I will be paying thousands of dollars in ticket price and over a full day of traveling just to see such great places/cities that are so close to you. What will be a once in a life-time experience for me because its so far and expensive, you can do even on monthly basis because its so cheap and close to you.

The last thing you want to do is lock the doors on yourself, isolate the world, switch on your TV and stare at it. Your only 18, I am 26, I will do anything to go back just to 22. You have so much time to learn new skills, get a job experience, have a good education, build new relationships, and experience whats out there in the world.

You've got my mentality about things, I just have some sort of will sapping funk going on lately.

I will say one thing, I have at least one current goal that I won't let myself fail at. I will go see the Space Shuttle launch before it's decommissioned. As a kid I remember always being glued to the TV when the launches went up and the whole wanting to be an astronaut and space love-affair thing was a pretty big deal to me. To me the shuttles are that awesome future dream space travel thing and now that they're going to get scrapped I've made an oath to myself to be there for one in person or die trying. Watching a launch in person is something I've wanted to do all my life and I'll be damned if anything gets in my way.

Also: When you're in the US and you go to New York stop at the museum of Natural History if you have a chance, it's really an amazing place. Oh, and Nintendo World in Rockefeller Plaza as well it was a blast the one time I got to go there and I'd kill to go again if I'm ever in New York sometime.

[Octopod]

Get a dog and kill two birds with one stone. You have a super good buddy and you can take him for long walks.

I have felt the same way off and on my entire life dude. As you age stuff gets better and easier to deal with, in my experience.

[dsheinem]

I think a big part of what you are feeling is just being 18 and in a transitory period. Most of us have been there at one time or another and as others have said, it should pass. Teenage angst is a common thing and can last well into your 20s. The only way to permanently kick it is to make a concerted effort - how long you let it rule you is up to you.

Get a phone so people can call you whenever and know that they'll have a chance to reach you. As for texting and social networking - I do less than 10 text message a month and most of those are to my wife or immediate family so I agree that texting is kind of pointless. I check in on Facebook only VERY sporadically. But I'm now in my 30s and in a very different place socially...these things didn't exist in the same way when I was finishing high school. Like you, we did lots of IMing.

Look, if people in your age group are actually using texting and social networking to plan events, meet up, etc. - then it is something you'll want to have. Maybe you're pretty adamant against it, but you have to weigh your "principle" of "texting is dumb" against your desire to have meaningful social relationships. Sometimes it is important to let go of some principles (this is something many of us do while living at college - which I'd also suggest you consider). Losing your inhibitions and hang ups can literally be quite liberating.

[hardrrocker]

You should volunteer at the local library.

[Niode]

Been in this state since my step-dad died in October, then my fiancée left me last month. Now I might be made redundant. Life seems to shit on you all at once, and when you think it can't get worse, something else happens to fuck your day up.

Suck it up and get on with shit. It's the only way to deal with it. I've been trying to reforge relationships with old friends that I lost contact with when I moved to Huddersfield. Just to get out of the house, for something to do other than work. Just go for a walk. Sometimes I'll just get up and go for a walk somewhere. I've even started taking my acoustic guitar and finding somewhere in the middle of nowhere to just sing and play to myself. It helps.

[Pingfa]

The primary reason we get so much enjoyment out of things and don't fall into a common state of apathy as children is that we do not feel obligated. When kids are bored, they find something to do.
As we age, we feel obligated to do more 'meaningful' things and feel like we've wasted so much time and are getting shorter on time as it is. In reality, we aren't obligated to do anything. It is not necessary to socialize often, it is not necessary to pursue a career, it is not necessary to please people. Regardless of what you want to do, the reality is that none of it is necessary and is only meaningful if it is meaningful to the individual person.

So, just know you are not running out of time and that you are not truly obligated to do anything. Just do what you do.