Barbara, you always give such compelling advice. You were the first person to reply to my very first post on OBT all those years ago, and you made me feel welcome right away. (I was Autowizard there.)

Freespirit, I don't think that all of it is in your head. Maybe part of it, but not all. Too many people DON'T want to hear about problems, especially ones like ours. I guess it's just too difficult for them to comprehend. I can never figure out why my family and friends can't at least accept that I'm different now, that I'm struggling with something that's very real, and not just some imaginary emotional trauma. My pain is real...my disability is real...even if it's not visible on the surface. I can't just think it away. I know they can't comprehend it, but why can't they just accept that it's a totally real thing?

It's hard to put a finger on the root cause of one's pain, let alone find a release for it. Barbara's right about that. If you can do it through drawing, or writing, or music...then that's great. I haven't found my outlet yet. Sometimes the new pressures keep building faster than I can deal with the old ones. Sometimes I'm not even sure what the issues are. Anyway, I don't think I'm making a lot of sense here, am I? I hope you can find your way out of this funk that's bearing down on you. You know it won't seem this hopeless forever. Take care of yourself...