Let's just get my main question out of the way: Am I barking up the wrong tree?

I've made a few posts here before that describes my situation. My problem isn't really with picking up women. It's part of a bigger problem with my failure to connect with anyone. I'm 34 now, and if I look back far enough, I guess I've been the same way my whole life. I had "friends" in school, but I hardly saw any of them after school... so maybe I didn't have friends. I can blame my heavily religious household for that, I suppose, but I'm not sure. Later in life, I would go to the nightclub with a group of guys, and fill the car seats with women, but I never felt that they were actually my friends. I don't talk to any of them now. I've barely talked to my brother in 20 years, even though I don't have anything against him. I don't talk to anyone else in my family... hell, I don't even know their contact info. Sometimes I think I'm too shy or meek, other times I think I'm too threatening. The common denominator either way is people always acting defensive and standoff-ish around me.

I almost got married. Physically/looks... I probably won't be able to do any better. I'd always look through magazines or girls on the street and think, "nope, she's not as hot as my girl." She was a great woman in a lot of other ways too. But people I knew and worked for in the military pulled a series of horrible and petty schemes on me, and I got kicked out and lost everything. I fought tooth and nail to get back on my feet, but the marriage plans fell apart in the process. She's gone, but I'm not grieving and I really don't care anymore. I have a job now in a new town, and in this town, I don't understand why everyone is so mean, or what I should do about it-- scowl, ignore them, fight them, what? Does everyone in the world act mean as hell now, or is it something that I'm doing? It's scary because it reminds me of the horrible shit that happened in the military that screwed my life up. I can't handle another setback.

So, I never had too much of a problem going to a place like a nightclub, or a private party, and picking someone up for the night or at least another night. But with my problems, does that mean, after studying PUA theory, I could get even better at the initial pick-up... but still spend day-to-day being treated like shit wherever I go and wherever I work? That I'm too wound up by the ugly looks and confrontations from strangers and associates to enjoy a date with someone else?

I read The Game once, but I didn't understand how to apply the techniques surrounding the story. What drew me to PUA are the general techniques be liked and be attractive-- things like NLP, the 48 Laws-- except the common end game seems to be romance or at least getting laid. If want non-sexual attraction, from everyone, should I still bother working on pick-up game? is there a way to tailor the PUA methods to my needs?

I really appreciate any advice anyone can take the time to offer.

You've got issues. You need to talk to a professional.

I talked to a number of counselors while I was being harassed in the military, and a psychologist after I was kicked out. They just said things will get better. Yeah, they didn't care either.

I need to learn how to keep people from messing up my life. If some asshole shot Michael Jordan in the leg, he probably wouldn't have been that great of a basketball player, would he?

thats really sad story bro,you served your country and yet people treat you like shit.i would put on a smile,not give a fuck what anyone thinks of you and maybe see a professional psyc or consider moving to another town and trying a new lifestyle there pm me if you wanna talk some more

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"Life is a chance,take all the ones you get".

The people in this town could be happier than Disneyland, but where I live is boring as get out and I'm shopping my resume as I write this. I'm still tired of running away, or being forced out, over and over again. PM is on the way.