[ClayTheScribe]

Ranc,

I want to second that on loving yourself, once you can achieve that, relationships come. I haven't achieved that yet and as a result I'm taking a hiatus from dating or finding a romantic relationship until I can get myself together better. And yes, I understand the want to go a hide when you're interested in someone, it's a way to want to protect yourself from rejection and hurt feelings. That's a big reason why I haven't had a relationship since I was 16. But you have to work on dealing with those feelings and anxiety and take chances, not that I'm one to talk. If it makes it easier, don't think of this person as someone you like or build them up before talking to them, just think of them as a person you want to chat with. Then, if it's meant to be, you'll form a friendship and maybe later a relationship. Don't put too much pressure on yourself.

And don't put yourself down for being weird. One, part of that is your illness, but two, I like weird, I prefer weird to normal, weird people are more interesting. And, what the heck is "normal" these days anyway? Don't put yourself down, for the most part, when talking to people you like, it's a turn-off, at least from my experience.