I see this pattern a lot though. I have spoken to many depressed people and somewhere in the conversation it always seems to come up that they often feel used by people. I think it's the more sensitive person who is aware of the deeper needs of others who often falls into the trap of depression somehow. I think part of the reason is, people often show you that they don't want your help and that hurts. Or, they do take it and then just kind of "discard you after use" like an old oil can or something.

I think if you're a natural "helper" or "teacher", you set yourself up for a lot of disappointment. I have also learnt it's not a numbers game. 95 out of a 100 people will not benefit by your work at all, or will reject you or will even hate you. But, there are the 5 people who just can't get enough of you, who you have reached and touched so deeply. I think the noise made by the 95 others often makes us forget the impact we had on the 5.

I posted another thread before this one (An illustration of the feeling driving my depression) in which I describe this situation as a baker with a small bakery trying to compete with a burger chain outlet that opened across the road from him, and how he has to fight just to serve the one or two loyal customers who need his product, because none other will do.

It is hard. It is very hard to continue on for those who do appreciate you. But, you have to.