Consolation?

"...solitude was my only consolation-deep, dark, deathlike solitude." pg 86 I found this statement very intriguing. Victor is a truly strange man. I don't understand why darkness and despair would help his situation. Things are already bad enough. Why does he get comfort from more depression. It seems like an odd emotional state that I can't even begin to imagine or comprehend. He is truly desperate and depressed if deeper darkness is his only comfort. It's not like it is his only option. He has a great family who is there for him and going through the same thing. I would think that he would turn to them.