It is really tough when there is just no one really to turn to. Coming here has made me feel less isolated.

I've experienced how over the years people I once confided in get - well - I guess they get burnt out. Then they close the door and may even disable the doorbell.

My depression is chronic. Nice people I know who would do a lot for me to resolve a problem they see as resolvable don't want to hear about a problem that is chronic.

Therapists have sometimes been least responsive when my need was greatest. One told me that "If I talk to you right now, you'll just escalate."

Once I was in bad shape and getting worse. The therapist whom I had seen for over 5 years said, "Don't delude yourself into thinking that you have ever really worked on your issues." I wondered why did it take her 5 years to tell me that. Previously to her saying that, she had been warm and positive and gave me no idea that I was not doing my part. I think it was her expression of frustration over what bad shape I had gotten into. But, it was very painful to be spoken to like that. It still rings in my ears as one of the worse invalidations I've ever received.

Currently, I'm not making therapy appointments. I am very depressed. I know therapists don't mind if you come in real depressed at the start. But, after some visits, they don't like it if you come in seeming to be making no progress. That's my experience.