Evening Dermot,

Have you ever thought about putting your feelings into an art form? Be it painting, poetry, music etc? I understand this isn’t exactly a solution, but my usual way of coping with any negative feeling is to try and make a positive from it and go from there. I paint and draw most days but I find that when I have a strong emotional feeling in my heart, it really produces my best work (I think most artists would say the same).

If you were to produce something creative, the internet is a great way to share it and create a dialogue about it. I think this might be good for you as getting feedback might build confidence and help you to bond with other people. I understand your condition makes it almost impossible for you to socialise with others, so perhaps something creative might help you to express yourself and your struggles and enable you to release some of your frustration.

In order to feel more comfortable around other people, it might help to sit and observe. I regularly sketch people in cafes, on the train, in the park etc. You can get a lot out of a human being simply by silently observing and capturing them.

My art teacher once told me “Wherever you are, your art will always remain a faithful companion. Use it to connect with the world around you.” It stuck with me and i’ve held it dear to my heart every since.

I wish you all the best!
-LJ