I feel you man. I know exactly what you mean with "refusing to acknowledge problems" and focusing on the unimportant. I do that off and on too... I get all gung ho and plan to do something about all those big problems i have to face and then mood changes and i'm back to avoiding them all over again. It's a very chaotic life, I know.

I can't say I relate lately to the friends so much since I pretty much don't hang out with anyone not even every couple of months anymore. A lot of it is circumstance, being out would require being able to be out and about and right now I'm still without a vehicle. but even online, where my social life is -- in chat rooms I see the symptoms too. I keep thinking everyone is probably going "wtf is wrong with him?" Overreacting to everthing is just a common occurrence for me.

I hate that I can relate to the relationship with your gf. I hate it because it brings up so many memories in my 13 year marriage. At good times she would say "i've seen you've changed to much since we were first together" then when she was angry about something I did - it would all come bubbling back up to the surface. Things I did the first 2 years we were together and she'd remind me like it was yesterday. What that means? She hadn't forgiven me. Forgiving means not holding it over someone's head anymore. I won't say forget because we don't forget and it's not a conscious thing, but it does mean letting it go so it isn't an issue that is used anymore in a fight. That's how I feel. So in essence what I'm saying is, I know how you feel. I wish I could say what to do about that but frankly we can't change the other person. Only keep doing what you can to do the right thing in every way possible. Don't beat yourself up for the things of the past but remember them enough that you keep going the right direction with her. Remember everyday that she gave you this 2nd chance and let that be the thing that lifts your spirit.

Hope things get better, my friend.
*manhug to ya*
~S4