If I had known, I would have been more likely to reply.

I would have said something like, When I'm feeling down and insecure, I need to get out of the house, talk to people who aren't in my regular circuit. I find that positive interactions with total strangers are more reassuring than with folks I know. Folks I know have a vested interest in being nice to me, strangers don't.

I have some thoughts on why there might seem to be differences in reactions. If you're interested, let me know.