Wow, Jday, I can see that there have been times in my life that I have been close to this, but never to that extreme...
I agree, that mental torment is the worst. That is exactly how I used to describe it to my husband but he never understood. I think mine was always more of "the dark night of the soul", as some saints have referred to it. It means having that torment, but still able to be caring and compassionate towards others.