The thing is, we're not exactly strangers and we're not therapists. We have read the OPs threads for a very long time, been invited to engage with her, and we're entitled to respond. We aren't going to respond like trained mental health professionals. We aren't and we're not being paid. This is a peer support forum and the reality is, we have to be open to varying perspectives and varying ways of expressing them if we want to participate.

I have received feedback I appreciated so much it made me cry. I've received feedback so painful I wanted to sock somebody! And lots of feedback in between: when we go fishing in open waters, no telling what we'll catch, but that's life.

The OP mentioned earlier something about wearing out her empathy on this forum, and I hate to say it, but I think that's true to an extent for some. I think sometimes there needs to be room for empathy but also for honest feedback. Will it be given in the most perfect form? Probably not. Will it be heartfelt and valuable, yes, it absolutely can be, if the OP is open to learning and not just hearing self-serving comments all the time.

However, I think we all can try and reserve the right not to engage in open discussions. If someone only wants to get a pat on the back or a hug or a kind word or something, they can certainly say that, keeping in mind though, it's still ultimately a public forum.

I do understand how hard it is not to challenge someone to grow when reading so much about a person illuminates patterns and issues so clearly. And for posters, it's hard online, you know- one has to have a tough skin but we also often come to forums like this because we don't. A paradox.

Anyhow, for what it's worth, I think it's great that you have reached out to eight therapists Growlithing and I hope that one of them will be your 'just right' therapist and help you deal with the things that pain you so that you can develop insights into how to be happier and healthier.