Muddy, you are one insightful individ. Shard, Mud's words are honest insight. Going through your list I find I mirror some of where you're coming from though we're likely pretty different. One example would be negative self-perception. It's one that comes standard with a whole host of illnesses. The resulting depression is the string that knots most of us here together.

There's no judging here Shard. Most know what it's like to feel hurt and in that knowledge tend to be very respectful to others. The excellent moderators and management here are diligent in ensuring that. I think knowing there's a community peopled by those with similar experience can be hugely supportive. I'm not the most gregarious type but this site serves as an great place to decompress. It's not as hard to open up here. Most of all it represents a place where I can feel safe in just being me.