Respect matters a lot to me. Professional respect, from colleagues and bosses; respect from my H and family for who I am; respect from my T. I started a thread about respect and the T the other week ( http://forums.psychcentral.com/showthread.php?t=232375 ).

One reason why I'm desperately down is that I know I don't deserve professional respect in the areas that really matter to me. And I certainly don't deserve respect from my family, but that has always been true.

Like "pride", "respect" can mean different things. One important element is being seen as an autonomous adult. Not being questioned in everything I do (though T, of course, may have questions about everything I do). Not having somebody double-check everything I do or criticise my every move. Not being despised is a good thing as well. And having my choices accepted even when other people don't agree with them - such as when I don't go out in the evening because I need time alone.