Depressed GF wants a break, advice?

My GF has really low self esteem and she's really anxious and insecure. She does not love herself and she has had a hard life. She was almost raped and she had to have an abortion amongst other things. She didn't want to get into a relationship but then she met me and she felt she could trust me and I have been supportive when she cried and was down. However, all of a sudden she wants to break up because she said that she can't love me properly without loving herself and that's she has been suffering all her life. She feels more insecure and anxious since dating me even though she loves me and doesn't want to break up. She feels breaking up will give her space to heal herself. She also says that she doesn't want to hurt me even though I am strong enough to support her. She is very defensive and sensitive and sees every thing in a negative way. We are on a break now and I am waiting for her to be ready to talk. I am respecting her space. She told that I have been the perfect boyfriend.

Anyway, so I didn't hear from her for a week and on Monday night she sent me a message saying we should meet up. Long story short, she tells me that she still feels she has to be on her own. So I send a message back saying I understand and that I'll always be there for her etc. so an hour later she calls me and she is crying and she is telling me that she is so confused because I am the best thing in her life and that she misses me etc.
She says she wants to see me but I haven't heard from her. It's hard waiting for her.

What can I do?

Leave her alone. Go out dating. If you're single by the time she sorts herself out (if she ever does) then date her again if you wish. My advice - she sounds a bit loony and you're making excuses for her.

She needs support and understanding. Be her friend but not a boyfriend. She had a nightmare of a life and you might be the only positive emotion in her life. Thats why shes afraid to lose you or be together with ya. Try to make her more social by introducing her with your friends and go out do normal friendly things with other people.

She might be pulling away now cause shes afraid of how big part you taken in her life already. Anyway why are you attracted to her? Are you feeling sorry for her? Do you have shining knight syndrome? Whats the reason you care about this troubled girl when there healty confident girls around?

I read the first sentence. Damaged goods. Cut her off.

Do the unselfish thing and don't be her friend or her boyfriend but do tell her before you cut all contact with her that you hope she has the strength to get the councelling that she needs to become healthy.

You can't help her by being in her life. She's told you she wants you gone but she's too weak to keep gone herself. You be the smart, unselfish one by clearing out so that she can concentrate on her own love of self to the point that she isn't screwing with men's head the way she is with yours. She is in no shape to be entertaining any type of emotional relationship at the moment (not even with herself) so leave her alone and get on with your pursuit of a LIFEmate that isn't needing to be fixed.

If you love yourself at all, then you'll see the beauty in all these replies.