I can relate to the hesitancy to "burden" others with our problems. For years I thought it was primarily because I didn't like the idea of being a complainer or requiring another to feel obligated to listen to my problems when he or she may in fact be overwhelmed with his or her own life problems. I believed I was acting out of a sense of selflessness and consideration. But as I grow older I think it was more about not feeling worthy. Feeling as though my mental health issues were not warranted, that others had it much worse. Who was I to complain?

If your sense of self worth has been damaged or destroyed you probably aren't going to feel that your problems matter, because you don't matter (or at least that's your belief).

But what if your burden is a financial one? I am 42 yrs old and unemployed, having lost my long term job back in 2009. I exhausted my unemployment benefits and still have not been able to secure work. I live with a roommate who has assumed the financial burden of paying my share of the bills for over a year now. I am incredibly grateful to him ( I don't believe there are many out there who would do the same). But Being dependent on someone who is not a family member or a significant other is difficult (It's hard enough when it is a family member or spouse).

You lose all sense of dignity, and as the months wear on, all sense of hope that the situation will change. How does one reconcile that? Any advice, ideas etc would be sincerely appreciated.