Some people have suggested my own issues (especially regarding intimacy and interpersonal relationships) might stem from a feeling of abandonment. Yet looking at this thread...I can't for very long. I have no problems by comparison.

That never stopped me from feeling abandoned as a kid.

My dad died when I was 7, and my mom never remarried. Never even dated - she didn't want to imitate her mother who acted that way. My mom does, however, have her own mental health issues, compounded with grief. In short I was always well cared-for physically, always clean, well-fed, got to places on time and had a rather privileged life...yet my mom's mood shifts scared the hell out of me.

The worst being (for) when she would start talking about suicide. I probably didn't hear any of that until I was maybe 10, 11 years old, but by the time I was 12 I considered it a very real possibility if, say, she was late, that it was because she finally gave in to her ideation and I could go home by cab and find her dead. And I'm an only child, and we have no family in the area...I actually sort of numbed myself to it over time. Became less afraid.

Also, I'm convinced that this dynamic is part of the reason my own mental health issues were overlooked and, to some extent, still are (at least now my mom admits there's something wrong with me, but acts as though it's recent, and most likely biological in origin...as if that somehow makes it not a problem. She denies that last part, but I don't buy it. Basically mental illness caused by, say, a thyroid problem or screwy brain wiring isn't real mental illness; you're not "crazy". Oh, and forget implying that her influence or behavior has had any negative impact on me. That's a lie and you're trying to turn me against her - the "only person who cares" about me. No, I don't believe that). We debate this, but I recall being a preteen and trying to talk about what bothered me, and basically getting blown off. It's just hormones, you're making that up, stop fishing for compliments/trying to get attention, you don't know what real depression is...come to think of it, is there any wonder I fear talking about my issues with a therapist? Perhaps I expect similar reactions on some level?