How to cope with loneliness?

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Hi all.

Currently im 20 years old and I'm studying for university exam at home. This exam is important for me.

But on the other hand i feel lonely. Because of my social problems, i cant make friendships with people. To be honest, i rarely go out and be in social groups. I'm afraid of talking to people. Even if people start a conversation with me, i cant take it forward.

As a result;
- I have actually 0 friends. I'm actively talking only with my family.
- I'm a person like a robot, according to other people.
- I'm usually at home.

And, it's not a problem to be usually at home, for me. The problem is LONELINESS. None of my old friends text's or calls me. Only 1 friend texted me on my birthday. I'm starting to think i'm a hated person. So i dont want to disturb people, i dont talk to them. I dont know if they will reply if i text them.

What would you suggest? Please give me some advices. I tried psychological therapy 2 or 3 years ago, it's pointless. Nothing changed in my life. I'm taking antidepressants as well. They are also pointless. But i get worse when i dont take them. They may be helpful for me.

Thanks for taking time to read. I'm waiting for replies. And i know... I posted many other threads about this, but I really dont know what to do. Please help me.

When i start going to university, things will change or not? What do you think?

Just one point to make from your first post. You say that your old friends don't call or text you. Do you call or text them? I have found that if you don't initiate contact, they will often assume you're not interested. I've done the same myself. Call a few and arrange a meal out, for instance.

I find it difficult to talk to people, but you do have to make the effort to meet them halfway. Things will get better at university, you will meet a load of people who are looking for new friends. When I first went they had a freshers' week and the ooportunity to join all kinds of clubs for special interests... chess, debating, martial arts, skiiing etc etc. This is a good start.

Hobbies.

Please stay on your meds. They're clearly helping you.
Yes; once you get to uni, things will change.
I suggest using this time to study up and practice communication skills; particularly active listening and nonverbal communication. I know it feels awkward, contrived, and stilted, but so does any newly acquired skill. Take speech and communication courses once you get there. Practice, practice, practice at every opportunity.
I would also get out of the house and get desensitized to being among crowds of people. I attended a really big uni, and that was really hard for me.
My uni had a student mental health facility, which provided a lot of help and support. Avail yourself of any resources available; sooner, not later.
Best of luck to you!

I would suggest hobby groups if you find any that allow you to focus on the activities enough to be manageable. Or talking to people online. Any positive experiences could help. Sometimes I just listen to radio or podcasts if I'm lonely, though.

Thanks for replies. Today i realized why i can't talk to people:

1st reason: I don't know what their reaction will be. Yes, maybe they will feel disturbed if i talk with them. i dont want to disturb people. If i text them, they probably won't reply.

2nd reason: being disgraced.
Yes, i have autism and dont have communication skills. I may be disgraced.

I can't even ask for directions when walking outside. Can i solve my problems?

Literally i have no life. And my emotions change too fast. I'm sensitive

I’ve found support groups helpful myself.

Looks like i'll never get friends. They will go away when they figure out that i'm autistic.

Helllooo!

This sounds almost identical to my situation right now, I'm 17 and I don't make friendships with people (because I feel I can't), the only time I go out into a "social group" is with my youth group at church, which is every week on Wednesday and even then I stick to the walls, and avoid people unless I feel really comfortable around them. Sometimes somebody will say "Hey Drake! How are you?" when I walk in before I can get to "my spot" in the back where I feel comfortable. When someone talks to me I feel really.. Eh, uncomfortable I guess. I'll respond with a quick "Good, how are you?" and then end the conversation there because I can't think of something to ask back aside from returning the question of "How are you?" so..

I only have online friends, I have a couple of friends in person but a majority of my friends are around the United States in other States far away. But I'm okay with that!

Do a hobby where you will be around other people. In martial arts especially like jiu-jitsu there is alot of interacting with people that comes along with it.