I am very grateful to hear from both of you above . . . that you have experienced this. Most people don't go through life feeling this way about themselves. While everyone has struggled with feelings of inadequacy, it is not usual to feel this cut off. I don't expect most people to really grasp what I'm saying. So these posts you've left mean a lot.

H3rmit: I hate going to the pdoc, but go to get my prescriptions and referrals I need. Seeing pdocs or therapists actually makes me feel worse. I agree that they do not do the work it takes to know what is going on with people. You are fortunate to have good medical care in your area. Where I get my psych care is a facility with a long-standing poor reputation, which I think it well deserves. Yes, my family has been pretty disordered in emotional terms. I do believe that is where the problems start. I am so sick of hearing about "chemical imbalances of the brain." There was nothing wrong with the brain I have. They define problems that way because, then, they can say the foundation of treatment is chemical.

optimize: I agree that pets can be a God-send. I miss the dog I used to have. She loved me more than I thought was possible. Getting another doggie would mean, eventually, going through the loss again. Maybe one day I can face taking that on.

Thank you both for letting me know I am not alone in this. (((HUGS))) to you both.