"All my life I've struggled with wanting people to completely understand me or whatever situation I happen to be going through, but that isn't realisitic."
Yes it is. We're at meetings. I don't mean to be an AA freak. But, seriously! Drives me batty when people say they'd like to find others like them but can't seem to. When there's HUNDREDS of us right there! Silly girl. ;-)
But, what you are doing seems to be working for you. Your feelings appear to be, and mean, that you're on your way. Right where you're supposed to be.