Unfortunately, unless others have been through something similar, they tend to be a bit dismissive and give bad advice. Well, its not always out of malice....many are trying to help but just don't know the right thing to say.

Book smarts don't equate with emotional smarts. There are quite a few types of intelligence. Just because someone can get an advanced degree doesn't mean that they are all that emotionally connected......which is why you have so many doctors who are horrible when it comes to bedside manner! (Yeah, I really do think medical schools should require some sort of exam which measures emotional intelligence.)