Honestly I feel like human interaction has just become fake or hostile. You're either lying to avoid conflict or dealing with conflict. It's so much easier to just deal with the loneliness than try to jump through all these social hoops.
With that said I'm autistic so that might be why it's so painful for me to deal with.
I think human interaction change with times that tell us what we need to have to be good as friend. I am also running from people but not because I can't deal with conflict but because shame. I spend many time to understand and shame is mine final answer. I am ashamed of my dirty apartment in my father garage, I am ashamed of not having a degree, a job, the will of even find an occupation. Then I ashamed of my body, fat and full of scars of heavy loss of height. Simple I am just a monster, that lives only because parents keep alive. What kind of friend can be possible be? That's there reason to escape.
This why not everyone can have interactions.
I don't have a degree either. I used to live with my parents. I also didn't have a job for years. Society conditions you to have all these things at once. Shit takes time and there is hope in life. If some low life like me can turn my life around so can you.
First of all, you don't need a degree. Just a fake piece of paper that tells people you're smart. I'm YouTube educated. Find your interest and deep dive into it. Fake a resume and start applying for jobs. Eventually someone will give you a chance.
Are you good at math? Know coding? Everyone is good at something.
I would also iterate to the other side, that sometimes people going through depression or the like may feel embarrassed or shy about exposing their pain. As it may make them close off even more, so you don't want to be too "helpful" and force it.
Keep in mind that a lot of times people aren't really needing any advice or anything but just need an ear to air out their problems. Also, if you are wanting to give advice, try to be less; "you should..." and more "have you tried..."
Depression is a very, very touchy subject and needs to be handled with a lot of care.
My insurance runs out at the end of the year. I'm going to die a slow and painful death without medicine that costs $3,000 a month. Suicide is looking pretty appealing, but people go on the whole "You can and deserve XYZ" spiel whenever I talk about it. Like, bitch, if I deserve XYZ then give it to me. Otherwise, you're just doing mental health slacktivism.
I've known several men who were severely fucked in the head, and they could've gone to a psychiatrist or a therapist, but they were too proud. In the worst case, the guy committed suicide. Depression is no joke!
This is on top on lemmy, don’t be scared to communicate with friends/family. You are loved and more than welcome to join any kind of social interaction.