Should I tell her the truth?

Thanks for your comments. I do try to be supportive and encouraging and a non-judgemental listener. As you say she also need professional help and hopefully will get more soon. Thanks for the link too.

@Fleura DJ pretty much said what I wanted to. I mean you can always feel free to message me with any further concerns or questions because I do suffer with depression and OCD myself. No self harming or voices in my head but all of these mental issues should be addressed and not ignored. Things like this shouldn't be taken lightly. From my own personal experience, people who tell me to "get over it" or "toughen up" etc only makes me feel 100 times more depressed and alone. And like DJ said, and for me again, personally, sometimes I just want someone to listen. I understand that not every one has the answer to help but going as far as just listening without judgement go can such a long way. Your question, "Is it more fair?" Well, on her behalf I should think no. It is not fair to have someone believe that what they are feeling is common and easy to fix because even though so many people suffer, they choose to not speak about it because of people like her husband! Who reach out for help but get shut down! Your friend needs professional help where she can speak of her issues and actually get help to control it. Hopefully cure but we will start with controlling it. It can be a long process. The day I found out that I had OCD from a councilor, I was happy. I mean I wasn't happy that I had it but I was happy that what I had been doing since I was little had a name to it. Because people telling me it was "normal" when I couldn't see anyone around me behaving in the way I was, was total bull! Everyone has issues yes but some need to be attended to! Your friend needs to see someone. No more of making her believe she is in some fairy land where everything is ok because in her mind right now, everything is not ok.

@VivaLaDani13 Thanks very much for taking the time to respond. She is seeking professional help but of course that can only be intermittent. In the meantime at least I can listen without judging. I'm glad you say that helps because that is one thing I can do!

Thanks, That's pretty much what I thought; I'm afraid she might feel more of a failure if she thinks everyone else is doing so well at overcoming these thoughts and she isn't!

Thank you for responding. No the 'friend' is not a way of disguising myself, I am totally the opposite, full of the joys of life! My friend has had some help, she is on anti-depressant medication but that has unpleasant side-effects so she would like to be able to get off it or at least cut back. She sees her doctor regularly and is hoping to be referred to a counsellor. But of course I see her at other times and wondered if there was a way I could also help.

She doesn't ignore it, it is her husband I guess who thinks that talking about it too much will make it more of an issue. She is looking for help and I will support her as much as I can, thanks.

Thank you, I do try to support her and keep her going as life really is worth it!

You're right it is a bad thing to have following you around. She is seeking help and hopefully will get to see a good counsellor soon.

Thanks. That's what I thought; I'm afraid she might feel more of a failure if she thinks we are all doing so well at overcoming these thoughts and she isn't!