I've been there - and I firmly believe it's that most people really don't want any reminders of that horrible time

I've had depression all my life and have good friends. Your friends were from work and football, I think (please correct me if I'm wrong) because you spent all your time at work or football. That's now not the case, but doesn't mean you can't make friends elsewhere. You just have to get out there and try, hard, I know, that it is x