I am a freshman at a college in Washington, DC. College has been a great opportunity for me, as I can do many things I couldn't have otherwise done. Yet it's incredibly lonely, here. I am about 500 miles away from home, and have no time to travel there other than vacations. Like many on this forum, I have great difficulty making friends on my own. While this has not impacted my academic or professional life, my life can feel pretty empty. A few months ago, I was so distraught that I seriously contemplated suicide.
Thankfully, I'm a long way from there now. But I've noticed a disturbing trend, that old social bonds I have are starting to break. I don't want them to, but they are. When I am home, my friends speak of our friendships in the past-tense, as if we are merely reminiscing on what once was. Gradually, my family is starting to sever our bonds as well. A large part of it is because I am specializing rapidly (in politics and economics), and most of the stuff that excites me goes over their heads. Still, I call them less often because they are starting to seem disinterested in my life.
My mental health is fine right now. I am seeing a therapist and on pills since my brush with suicide, but I still want these people in my life. I realize it is inevitable that we break away altogether, and maybe they are preparing it for themselves in their minds. But I'm just not ready to let these people go. I want to tell them everything I told you, but I'm afraid I may scare them.