I realized last night that I likely will never be happy again.

I am truly sorry for your situation that you feel that you may never be happy again in your life. I say this because I too feel the same way. After a divorce where my two daughters supported me and helped me navigate through choppy waters I now find myself abandoned. Suffering from mental illness and learning I have ADHD I now find myself alone. My ex has moved on to another man and my daughters refuse to communicate with me. For someone whose family meant everything to me it is total devastation. I lost my wife, I lost my kids, I lost my job, I lost my house; I lost everything. My lawyer dropped me so I went unrepresented at my divorce hearing since I was locked up in a psychiatric ward as the judge gave my ex everything. I have went the therapist route, been on numerous depression and anxiety medications, and read countless self-help books; nothing helps. I was suicidal but religious and personal beliefs staved those thoughts off. The ironic thing is that both my daughters are nurses but neither care or believe I would hurt myself. Maybe they were right but things do change.
So, do I believe that someone will “never be happy again”? Most certainly. Do I think therapists, psychiatrists, and medications can help? Maybe, but don’t count on it. For me these sources may have removed the urge to hurt myself but the pain and despair remain. I simply laugh when told therapy and medications can help.

welcome to the group, never be happy again depends on you, i have started over 4 times and now over a year ago i had to go thru brain surgery to remove a tumor that was cancerous. I could go on but to put it simple, you have to fight for what you want and kick the attitude of pity out the door.
find something to fight for a reason to wake up, have your first cup of coffee and decide what you want to accomplish. You only live once. i have been dead and brought back a few times. sucks being older and cant get a drivers license because of a seizures i have to wait a year and dang it i want to get out and do things and cant drive. now that i am starting to be myself again i have to start from scratch again. but i am doing it because my daughter is my reason, i want to see her happy again and believe in me one day before my number is called. i hope you try harder to get out and socialize and maybe find something to be happy about. im happy if i just wake up.

Michael, I came across your post after searching “I’m 34 years old and I feel like I will never be happy”. Unfortunately, a lot of use have similar feelings. I do believe happiness comes from within, but perhaps a close relationship with someone would help. Have your tried dating? You said your daughter got married, and now that she is older I’m sure she would love for her dad to have someone to share life and happiness with. Just a thought. I’m here if you want to talk.

@beachbabe7777 I don't know if I can make you happy, but I certainly will do my best. Your email tells me that you are intelligent with lots of common sense. And you care about other people's happiness, so you are a caring and loving woman. Your words "I'm here if you want to talk" tells me you are a kind and caring woman. I will be happy to correspond with you if you have 'I will never be happy feelings.'

I do not feel happy because I never felt that I was like everybody else. I always felt "different." When I was young I imagined myself as being alone in a rented room. That was the best I could envision. I now know that a lot of this was caused by my mother and I have a diagnosis of PTSD due to child abuse. But then I did not know this. Because of her I decided to leave my home, my country, my family, etc. I landed in San Diego. Surprisingly I was able to find a job and a place to live. It made me a stronger person but it didn't help me personally. I was ignored by the other office staff. This has been a recurring theme during my life. But I did have one miracle. I met a man who loved me and we got married and had two children. We were together for 62 years. Now I am 91 years old, but I am healthy. I live in our home. I take care of myself and still drive. I am what they call a superager. In spite of all this, I am not good with people. Apparently they see something in me that turns them off. I wish I knew what it was so I could work on changing it. So with who knows how many years I have left, I am alone. No support system. Spend day after day talking to no one. It is hard. I have been happy only a few times (the day I got married and when I gave birth to my children) but unhappiness has dogged me from the time I could remember.

@thisismarilynb What about your kids, don't you have any contact with them?

@thisismarilynb
O Precious Marilyn,
Youve lived 91 years and spent 62 years with your husband and child(ren).
Youve had a good marriage. Theres a celebration here for that!
I want to encourage you to change your perspective.
Youre in good health and can drive.
Consider stepping out and visiting others; at a local w nursing home, volunteering to visit people in the hospital or spending time in a chilrens cancer hospital visiting them, playing a game, reading to them etc.
There might be a structured volunteer program in your area. Check it out.
You have so much to GIVE.
THATS the secret to loneliness and self judgment.
May you direct your thoughts and actions focusing on living Outwards rather than Inwards. Others need you!
We are in a day withd social media, stressors, political divide, uncertainty on so many levels.
What will draw peoples attention and open them up?
Kindness. Patience. A smile. A simple hello.
If you see someone struggling or having a tough time, offer a word of encouragement. Listen to them.
Look for a local childrens hospital and give 2 hours playing a card or board game, reading with or to a child.
Hospitals have many volunteer programs setup.4
Theres a whole lot of love to be shared.
When you give to the recipient, you are giving a gift:
Your time and a listening ear. That soothes the heart.
Fight the struggle of thinking others dont like you.
You dont know THEIR story.
They could be living with anger, grief, hopelessness, rjealousy, fear, depression and directing it stowards you. It cant be personal because they dont KNOW you.
You enjoy yourself and be your best friend and toss those feelings of self doubt and judgement aside.
Who cares what others think? They arent your everday
reality.
There are people who most likely feel lifer has beaten them up.
With that said, rise up and bring them a moment of joy.
TIME is the most valuable commodity.
When we invest in others, we, too, reap the rewards.
Seize the day.
God created you for His purpose. Have Him direct your path.
Blessings.

FYI: Apologies for the typos.
Im typing on my ipad one finger at a time.
Butterfingers!

Look for a good psychiatrist or counselor, you may need to try more than one before you find a good fit. if you can't afford it start with a minister, or your regular doctor, they can guide you to get help. W are not in this world alone. Jesus walks beside us every day and when we are unable to walk, He carries us.

I was depressed and suicidal for 30 years before I found someone who could help me. We found a medication that helped with my depression and discovered what things were making me miserable.

With the help of the medication and counseling I was able to work through what life was throwing at me, one little thing at a time. My life is not all sunshine and roses. I still struggle with depression at times, I have severe degenerative arthritis in every joint in my body, stage 4 kidney disease, Parkinson disease, Congestive heart failure, fatty liver disease, am divorced loosing my home and every thing in it, and I could go on. But none of that matter anymore because I woke up today and God has given me another day in this beautiful world that I can accomplish something. Even though I may hurt all over, be scheduled for another surgery, I can still show someone I care and that God loves them too.

My change in attitude has made the difference in me and my life. My children now call me every week and we are a family again. I am determined to do at least one good thing every day. But I could have never done it alone and I had to take that first step. Today may be the last day that I am on this earth, but I will do my best to make the most of these 24 hours.

@thisismarilynb I have learned that most people grow up feeling like they are different and don't fit in. Those who tell you different are lying. I can see that a tough upbringing could make you think it is only you, but that's not the case. When you accept this, it is easier to have compassion for yourself and for others. No one is perfect (or better than or less than) anyone else. However, in order to receive acceptance, you first have to give it, first to yourself and then to others. Believe in yourself. Then to attract friends, be friendly. Smile. Give compliments. Empathize. If they don't respond at first, don't let it bother you. Just be nice to someone else. When we judge ourselves and find ourselves lacking, we tend to put on airs to protect ourselves. When people encounter these airs, they believe they are being judged and get defensive. This goes both ways. So don't get defensive. Happiness is a choice. When someone first told me that, I scoffed at it, but when I started to believe in myself and extend myself for others, it worked! We ALL need acceptance and community. Please let yourself be vulnerable enough to let others in.