I can really relate to this topic. Casaubon, I'm sorry that you do not have friends in your life that treat you as you deserve to be treated. It sounds like you are someone with a lot of empathy for others (I am the same way) yet even though you are there for others, they are not there for you as they should be.

Lexicon, I can relate to what you are saying also, I have never felt like I fit in anywhere and even though I had what I thought was a close circle of friends, they would only be there when I was feeling my best and I always felt like I had to entertain them. God forbid if I showed how I truly felt, one time I was sad and upset and they just abandoned me and got angry with me.When they found out that I was hospitalized for depression, they treated me very distantly. Recently I ran into one of these people and she said, "Oh we'll call you the next time we all get together." Well that was a while ago, and no one ever called. So I understand as far as trust issues, and I tend to trust easily, but I feel that trust less and less.

I hope that we can all find a way to deal with our situations.I wish I had an answer as to why people act this way.

Hugs,
Sujin