So glad you have the kitty! It's amazing how much animals can help. Sometimes I worry that if I reach out to my birdy-girl I will just infect her with all my negativity but after ten minutes of cuddling we are both pretty content. Fortunately I have the one species of bird that wants to be rubbed down like a puppy all the time, she would sleep under the covers with me if I let her...

If I remind myself that it is my brain chemistry making me feel bad and extreme it helps a little. It kinda sounds like you are letting in the problems of the people around you?