It can be very difficult to deal with someone who is deeply depressed
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (37565)
October 24, 2023 12:39am CST
I have a long time friend, she used to live close by me but now she is several hours away. I've known her for years. She had a bad first marriage, finally divorced him, and found a brand new husband in nothing flat. She seemed determined to find a man, and she did. Luckily, he is a really nice fellow and has the patience of a saint.
She is making him crazy with all of her drama, her deep depression over everything in general, her kids/his kids, and so on. She finally lets one subject go and then starts on another one.
This woman has several college degrees, one a Master's in teaching special ed, another a BSN in nursing. She is very book-smart. She has also fought severe depression for all of her adult life. It has definitely affected many of her personal relationships with friends and family. Until recently, I steered clear of her drama when it was at it's peak, as I, along with others, never knew what to say. Yes, she is bipolar and depressed. She is bossy and demanding. However, she can be so nice, is very compassionate, a good person...but...yes. But...
A few weeks ago, I wrote about getting to unexpectedly go to my class reunion. I did not plan on going, didn't buy a ticket, just didn't think I could leave my son. But another friend decided I was going and she basically showed up and we found someone to help my son for a bit, threw my stuff in a suitcase, and off I went. This was not planned!!! This was in the town I used to live in, about 120 miles south of where I am now. Not a long trip. When I go there to visit, I always stay with my best friend at her house. I am always welcome and she was adamant that I stay with her during the reunion. I was invited and had some unexpected FUN. Not a crime, right?
OH, my. My depressed friend discovered I went to my reunion. She used to live there, too. She is absolutely furious that I ''didn't include her!'' This was not HER reunion. She didn't go to school there, she married a guy from that town and moved there in her late 20's. I didn't live there at that time, I got to know her later when I moved back to the area.
She is just so mad. She called me and told me I was selfish for not including her. I didn't even think of doing so--why would I? It wasn't HER reunion! She says I was mean and only thinking of myself. She was not invited. These were not even people she knew. But for some reason, she is furious that I stayed with my best friend, and went to my own reunion. She said I had completely ruined a long friendship. This is a woman who has been hospitalized many times for severe depression, has attempted suicide in the past, and just has a lot of issues. I have been her friend. She wants me to apologize for not inviting her to go with me (she lives 2 hours to the east, anyway!) and for staying with my friend.
I have not called her. I don't want to. She is raging mad, not making sense, and hopefully her husband or adult children will take her to the hospital and she can get her meds stabilized again and get past this fit she is throwing. I can't fix it because it doesn't make any sense, and to be honest, I can't fix it anyway--it's' past fixing, I think.
So, do I just keep on doing what I am doing now--not contacting her or doing the apology she has demanded? I don't mind apologizing if I am in the wrong, not at all. But, all I did was go to a reunion.
It's been several weeks and I just can't make myself reach out to her, with her being so hateful. I know she is mentally ill, but I can't fix her. I've been her friend a long time, I've talked her through a lot of things, I've driven her to the hospital, visited her, taken meals, whatever. I usually never give up on people. This time, I have to.
I have never thought about myself being a bad friend before, but she screamed at me that I was the worst friend in the world. Depressed or not, I think I am better off without her in my life. I can't help her and to be honest, I can't deal with all of it.
What would you do?
7 people like this
7 responses
@LindaOHio (178780)
• United States
24 Oct 23
I wonder if she is taking her meds properly? I know twins...one takes her bipolar meds and one does not. It's like night and day. I wouldn't reach out to her. Let her make the first move. Maybe she can be stabilized and start to talk some sense again. Good luck and have a wonderful day.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (178780)
• United States
25 Oct 23
@MarieCoyle You're welcome. She needs to see her doctor.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (178780)
• United States
26 Oct 23
@MarieCoyle I feel really sorry for her and for you and others she is affecting.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (37565)
•
25 Oct 23
I don't think her depression meds are working. She is a nurse, she has always been good about taking them. But now, they seem to do nothing for her.
Thank you, Linda.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (37565)
•
25 Oct 23
Honestly, she has many estranged family members and some friends as well. I don't know if it will blow over. I feel she knows where I am, but I will not apologize to her because I don't feel I was wrong--at least, not this time. Yes, I pray she gets some help and takes her meds. That's all I can do right now. Thank you, Valerie.
1 person likes this
@just4him (317089)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
25 Oct 23
@MarieCoyle No, don't apologize to her. You did nothing to apologize for. Prayer works when nothing else will.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (37565)
•
25 Oct 23
@just4him
Yes, it does.
I do know that sometimes a depressed person has to have their meds adjusted periodically in order for them to continue to work. At least, many I know have had to do that. She fights change in everything, I know her doctor has wanted to adjust her meds before and she always fights that. Thank you.
1 person likes this
@sulynsi (2671)
• Canada
24 Oct 23
I'm so sorry this is happening to you.
You sound like one of the best friends she has ever had.
But this is a common story. I've seen it time and again. The one that does the most is the one that gets it in the neck when the depressed one is in that 'mode'.
For your own peace of mind, you need some space, and give her time to settle down. Likely, she will come around and act like nothing ever happened. Meanwhile, you are suffering. It's not wrong to protect yourself from further abuse.
If you can let it go, and put it down to the illness. Try not allow it to give you one more moment's anxiety or thought. You did nothing wrong at all, and you clearly care about her welfare. In my experience, things will likely blow over and you can (if you want to) continue to be the wonderful friend she's always had.
We often need to do as recommended at 1 Peter 4:8 'Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.'
1 person likes this
@sulynsi (2671)
• Canada
27 Oct 23
@MarieCoyle
'''To have a friend, you have to be one.'''
This makes me think of a person I've known for years, someone who I tried to support through her depression.
During COVID, we moved away and when I reached out to keep in touch, I was rebuffed, as if I had betrayed her by moving.
All through our association, I always felt that I had to be 'there for her' but I had noticed she was never really 'there for me'.
I really don't regret it - I don't really have the energy for such a lopsided friendship. If she reaches out to me in future, I will, as I always have, make myself available.
But I'm not going to go searching. Some relationships can be a burden, and setting them down, at least for a time, can be a relief.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (37565)
•
25 Oct 23
I honestly thought our friendship was very strong. It appeared to be. This all just came out of the blue in one day when she found out I went to my own class reunion. I think part of it is, she is jealous of the friendship I have with my long-time best friend. We have been friends for nearly 40 years, I am not about to dump her because she is jealous. My best friend has invited her to visit her and even stay with her if she ever needed or wanted to. She never has, so that's on her.
Not to brag, but I honestly do think I am a pretty good friend to have. I am often short on time these days, due to caring for my son--but I have really tried with this woman. She has called me all hours of the day and night, to complain about anything and everything--her 90-year-old mother, her estranged daughter, her ex, her job, her health...well, you get the picture. I have spent hours just listening. I have sat with her when she had surgery, taken her to the doctor and the ER, visited her in the psyche ward (and I was the only person who did, other than her husband.) I've honestly tried. Yes, I care about her. But...there is an old saying that I recalled that has never made more sense than it does right now--
''To have a friend, you have to be one.''
I can care about her and love her from a distance, at least right now I can. I just can't do anything else, as I said, my plate is pretty full. Not to mention I do owe it to myself to hang on to my peace of mind.
I want to thank you for your very kind words, Sulynsi.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (37565)
•
28 Oct 23
@sulynsi
I am not going to go searching, either. I know she has a lot of mental health problems. I've sincerely tried, and you are right, it has become a burden. I won't shut her out if she reaches out at some point, but even if we tried to put it back together, all it would take would be for me to tell her I will not be treated like that--and since she is always right, she would stalk off and it would just start all over again. Yes, the relief has surfaced, as I realize now the friendship was all give--from me, and all take--from her. That's not what a friendship is. Thank you so much.
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@DaddyEvil (137259)
• United States
24 Oct 23
I would ignore any further attempts she makes to contact me and definitely wouldn't apologize when "I" didn't do anything wrong. You are better off without her.
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@MarieCoyle (37565)
•
24 Oct 23
I have pretty much decided I am done. I have a bit of guilt in the decision. We did have some good times together and shared our lives. But I find I just can’t brush this off. It was so beyond ridiculous I am still shaking my head a few weeks later. Funny how she had her own class reunion before I did, and yet I didn’t whine and carry on because she didn’t invite me to hers.
I know she had a lot of problems but I also know I can’t fix them. Thank you, DE.
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@DaddyEvil (137259)
• United States
24 Oct 23
@MarieCoyle You're welcome. We can't be everything to everyone, no matter how much they wish we could.
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@MarieCoyle (37565)
•
24 Oct 23
@DaddyEvil
Sometimes, a person can try to just suck the very life out of someone and try to manipulate them into being there for them, even when they treat them badly. I have a lot on my plate right now and I just don’t think I need the worry and all the drama she’s showing. So be it, I guess. I’m sorry it had to end this way but if I had to do it all over again, I would do the same.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (106362)
• Marion, Ohio
24 Oct 23
You have to do what is best for you. You didn't do anything wrong
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@MarieCoyle (37565)
•
25 Oct 23
Eva, this time, I choose ME. I have to, for my own peace of mind. Never thought she would come unglued over something so trivial. Thank you.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (37565)
•
25 Oct 23
@wolfgirl569
Sometimes, it just seems to be best to back away. For me, this is one of those times. Thank you.
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@MarieCoyle (37565)
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25 Oct 23
Time will tell, but I do believe I have reached my limit in being treated like a doormat. Thank you.
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@MarieCoyle (37565)
•
24 Oct 23
No, I can’t help her. And after about 15 years of friendship, I find I am not really missing her, either. I’ve been as nice as I could possibly be, I’ve given all I could give over the years. I will be fine. I don’t think she is doing well, but I can’t help her. Thank you, Judy.