Do any of you have trouble w/ keeping friends

[heavensent1717]

I always have trouble with keeping friends long term, more than a year. I seem to make friends but they tend ditch me when I get too symptomatic. Anyone else have this trouble?

[Deedeelyn]

HI again Heavensent, I waited a few days before I responded hoping others might respond to you. I really hope you have better luck with finding new acquaintences. I know from experience what it is like to be abandoned by people who you think are true friends. I have trouble finding and keeping friends even though I have been symtomatic free for a few years now. It may be my insecurity and low self esteem that causes me my problems. I know it's hard to make friends when you have this diagnosis. People just don't know what it is all about. I often hear ( when I reveal my diagnosis ) " wow,, I could never tell." like it should be tatooed on my forehead. It scares people , I know. But I feel it's due to lack of information. Keep your head up. I hope you find the right combination of medication so that your symptoms will subside. I also hope for you that you find more sympathtic friends. Please write back if you want to. I really don't have anyone who has experienced the things I've gone through with this disorder. It would be nice to talk to you again.
Deedeelyn

[Ponygirl]

Hi, there! Nice to meet you! I just wanted to let you know, I have the
same issue, unfortunately, but, I can't figure out, why.
I'm NOT saying, it will be this way for YOU, but, for me, lots of those people
have been from this site.

Phyllis

[Spiney]

A mental health dx. frightens off many people due to ignorance or perhaps a very negative exosure to it. Then there are folks that just plain don't know how to deal, in a healthy way, with this sort of problem. They mean well but just can't go the distance.

As for the friendships one has on the boards, we need to keep in mind that for the most part, we are dealing with wounded people................wounded in one way or another. These relationships are conducted/lived out on the board. Many, if not most, folks only reveal what they are comfortable with others knowing. Often, the betrayals/abandonments, are due to problems that we are totally unaware of.

Just a few thoughts. Best wishes.

[Ponygirl]

"friendships", made on the forums. For me, personally, I was friends, by
phone, with someone from BrainTalk, for, a couple of YEARS. It CAN happen.
Sadly, they decided, I'm not an exciting, enough, friend for them, so, they
don't come around, anymore. Anyhow, I just wanted to say, it doesn't
matter, HOW the friendship happens. If, two people are meant, to be friends,
it will work out, even, if they meet on-line.

Phyllis

[dawnmn]

I find this question interesting because I do have trouble keeping friends since being dx. I think alot of this has to do with me because I don't want to explain to people my illness. I seem to avoid people who I haven't known for years and don't want to make new friends.

[clouds z]

where i am where i live most people make me sick i wouldnt want THEM as friends so who cares