It DOES help to make friends within the realm of people who share your experiences. Individuals I've met here have gone on to become people I trust very much, who are also great listeners, and have helped me enormously, more than once!

Then, you'll find it easier to save the details for those who will genuinely grasp what you are going through, and who will show sympathy and be supportive and kind.

We must keep in mind that even people who do not suffer what we go through still DO have issues they deal with daily, and weekly, and month-to-month. They might involve health or finances or any of the 10,000 other things the human condition imposes on us.

But they, too, have to pick and choose when and when NOT to open up about particular things. Because, so often, people on the receiving end are just not well-suited to help. And it can lead to awkwardness and embarrassment on the part of the listener, as well as on the person doing the soul-spilling.

I hear your plight. I am kind of cut off here where I live, without a ton of 'real-life' friends, since I moved here 12 years ago (which I never had an over-abundance of, to begin with, as I have moved a lot). Husband has been historically pretty good at listening, but is now becoming tired of me, and he makes that abundantly clear.

So I REALLY understand.

Massive hugs to you, as you pick your way long this tricky path....