This is something shrinks tell you when you're feeling depressed. I guess the theory is that depression is caused by isolation. Perhaps. But when I'm depressed, I always feel it more acutely when I'm around other people than when I'm alone. At least when I'm alone it's ignorable. It's the difference between physical and social isolation, I guess.

"You're not alone."

Yeah, like it's supposed to make me feel better knowing that the world is full of heartache, misery and woe.

"You're not alone."

If that's really true, then why don't I ever meet all of these supposed people who are like me?

"You're not alone."

Of all of the stupid and asinine things that various psychiatrists, counselors and complete strangers have told me, this is perhaps the least useful of them all. It really pisses me off.

Of course what bothers me most about "You're not alone." is that it's true. It really is. Sure, maybe no one can completely understand another person, but they can be empathetic and sympathetic and, well, that's pretty damn good itself.