Pathetic question - I've liked the same girl my entire life?

You are like every other human being that doesn't want to let out feelings...and there's a lot of them. I'm going to make this simple and to the point since your a psychiatrist. What is worse...never telling this girl your feelings forever and having her marry some other guy or be with someone else and living with that everyday for the rest of your life! Or telling her those feelings in the best way possible that wouldn't press on her hard and stress her out...and possibly facing rejection. In my opinion, you can live with rejection...grow out of rejection and forget about it, but you can never forget the guilt and terrible feelings you'll have by not letting her know. Yeah your losing a friend if the very worst happens...but theres just so much more to gain and that risk is nessecary. If it works out you'll be one of the happiest guys in the world and you and i both know that. All this stress will be gone and you'll have your perfect woman that is so hard to find. Go for the risk...