I've never posted online but am desperate for reassurance. I've already
come across a similar scenario here, but feel the need to share my own
experience. I am a 28 year old who has a long history of mental illness
including chronic depression (anxie...
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I've never posted online but am desperate for reassurance. I've already
come across a similar scenario here, but feel the need to share my own
experience. I am a 28 year old who has a long history of mental illness
including chronic depression (anxiety, eating disorders, OCD, you name
it). This has had a significant impact on my life, but I've always
managed to keep it well hidden (out of shame and self-preservation - the
stigma is terrible). I'm in therapy, on medication, and have even quit
drinking since my drinking behaviour wasn't very healthy. Despite all of
this, the thing that I'm most ashamed of is that I've never been in a
serious relationship, not only because my mental illnesses have held me
back, but also because a traditional family and upbringing prevented me
from dating as a teen, so I never set solid relationship foundations for
myself. I'm 28 with relationship experience limited to flings and
crushed hopes. I'm trying to internet date but have had poor
experiences: I've been lied to, ghosted, and faded out on. I'm starting
to think maybe people sense something is up with me, and they run as
soon as they do. Or, perhaps I get a little too hopeful too soon, which
scares people, so people run off again. I recently came out of something
(I couldn't really call it a relationship - two months or so of dating
and long conversations?) and was heartbroken when I found out he wasn't
fully interested. Is there something wrong with me? I've believed for so
long I was unlovable, and now that I've tried to date, all these poor
experiences seem to validate this thought - I'm not capable of being
loved. I've been single all my life and my loneliness is really
affecting me. It's making me desperate for SOMETHING. Is there something
wrong with me that I've been single all this time? Is there something
wrong with me that no one wants to be with me, or give me a chance?