Thanks to all for sharing their experiences. To me, this thread has been like sharing battle scars. I am not trying to make light of people who have actual battle scars, my respect to them too.
I am sorry you’re going through that. I am not in a rural place, but I feel isolated all the same because I mask everything. I feel that if I trust someone enough, I’ll open up to them. I am working up to it.
Be wary of advice which says you need to be good looking to expect reasonable behavior from a partner. I’ve been told I am attractive, but it can sometimes bring the wrong kind of attention that doesn’t really provide emotional support and personal wellbeing.
Looking good can be its own reward, but it’s not a requirement for finding a close relationship, I think.
You’ve accomplished something to be proud of. I am in the same place, working on dealing with a lot of negativity towards myself. I hope you find your way out of it too. Best of luck!
I get what you’re saying, but knowing other people had similar experiences and found some measure of life satisfaction is helpful to me, and I hope it’s also helpful to someone else.
I think you’re doing so, so well. I have reservations about making close relationships too because of my past, so it’s a common pattern amongst people with traumatic experiences. I plan to try out a hobby group but time hasn’t been so flexible.
I’ve seen other people fall into the trap of thinking that their body is a meatbag for their brain. I’ve personally found that exercise helps me so much with both reducing depressive symptoms and maintaining focus.
Hope you find whatever it is which you think will make your life better, take care!
The co-occurrence of these conditions is an extensive area of research, there is some evidence which suggests what you’re saying, and other evidence which says the two conditions are distinct. I also read somewhere that both conditions are in fact part of a larger, underlying one. Here’s an interesting paper on the genetic profiles https://www.nature.com/articles/s41588-022-01171-3
Thanks for sharing your insights, I think you’re absolutely right about the role and need for a mentor.
I am glad you scored a 2! I understand that such scores do not adequately capture the severity of someone’s circumstances, even if they say yes to one question.
I like to think I am working myself up to a partner and a dog, but opening to people is hard. It’s a work in progress.
