I have dealt with terrible loneliness all of my life. Just tonight a friend of mine was urging me to date but I told him that I can't take that kind of stress. All he could say is that I have to accept life the way that it is if I can't pursue a relationship.

I'm 43 and I've never dated or married. Every time I try to initiate a relationship it causes terrible anxiety and seizure like feelings. I know from my brain scans that I am having seizure activity.

I've read that mercury poisoning causes timidity and shyness and that could explain why I'm in the position that I'm in now. However, nobody but me believes that mercury is holding me back. They all think that it's my fault because I'm not trying hard enough.

What do you think?