Originally posted by Missbella:

It did NOT teach me more social ease or a sense of competence or equality, in fact, just the opposite. Relating to others like I did therapists--expecting comfort for all my suffering and sorrows--did not make me a friend magnet. For a while I lived in a therapy pseudo-world and lost important friends during that period.

MissBella, reading over all of the posts on this thread I came upon this of yours and it reminded me of something that happened with me. I too suffered socially, and years of therapy did little to help me. You know what did? Reading an etiquette book. And paying attention to how people in real life in my area interacted with each other.

I found out I simply I grew up without knowing any of the rules. I did't know any social norms, the ones that ease interaction between strangers and acquaintances. As a result I made many painful mistakes, without meaning to.

Just a thought.

Wishing you well.....