I feel it almost impossible for me to get another job. Everywhere now is so stringent with who they hire, and even for the "lowliest" of jobs, there is almost certainly a background check. While I've never been arrested or gone to jail for stealing, I have been caught three times, and have been told in an interview once that they were aware of my "retail theft" and was denied the job (after initally being told I was hired).

It's just almost not worth the effort. As others have stated, we are treated like criminals, yet we are simply struggling with an illness. It's an actual illness defined by DSM IV, yet it is not defenseable. :|

There's people in my life who obviously do know of my issues, but also people who do not. And I fear them ever finding out. It's like I cannot make new friends, cannot succeed in school or the workplace, cannot even have, much less imagaine a future, because I feel as if none exists.

I've burned too many bridges.