Mental illness can be cruel in that it often keeps us from moving ahead in life like it seems our friends have.

It can be a very lonely feeling. I find support groups very helpful when I feel isolated from "normal" people.

Is it your bedroom that you don't allow your cats into? I dunno...my cats are in my bedroom a lot and especially when I go to sleep at night it's a great feeling to have them there with me. Just a thought.