My heart goes out to both of you Shamus and Npixelz! Heart ache can be so emotionally debilitating and scaring.
I try to live by the old saying " treat others as you would like to be treated"...and forgiveness is a big part of that... forgiving others for the hurt you feel they have caused you and also forgiving yourself for letting yourself be hurt and forgiving yourself for hurting back in return.
There are many wonderful people out in the world, and friendship is a big part of surviving, so search out friends... and some of them will become life long friends. Avoid relationships that you know are drama from the start. Friendship is mutual respect for one another.
Ok, enough for being philosophical for me. I make alot of mistakes but I try to improve.