It pains me to read this, not only because I feel for your torment but I realise, too, how much my sister-in-law must have suffered before she died last year at 59 of liver psoriasis. She managed to put up a good front for the 30 years she was an alcoholic, never admitting publicly to her illness. Like everyone else, hers is a life’s story.

We were very close. And I couldn’t help her.

I wish you strength. And keep on writing.