High expectations of people

[Grace367]

How does everyone deal with handling depression and anxiety with friends in their lives?

If I’m having a bad day, my friends will listen and give supporting advice. But then I feel like I’m constantly having bad days and it’s pushing them away.

[deborah27]

yep, it is such a relentless battle. you aren't pushing them away. it always annoys me when family say 'we don't know what to do' 'what would you want us to do, we've tried everything' or 'i just don't know what to do with you anymore' well, really. there is such a thing as doing nothing and still being supportive. being supportive doesn't always involve action. just be.

[Grace367 in reply to deborah27]

exactly! Or just having someone check in once in awhile goes a long way. What I'm struggling with is not letting my anxiety get in the way. Like if someone doesn't respond right away or invite me to hang out, my brain automatically thinks that it's because they hate me. When in reality there's a million reasons that have nothing to do with me!

[deborah27 in reply to Grace367]

lol, i know. what are we like! thinking too much can be a real pain.

[Grace367 in reply to deborah27]

Right?! So annoying lol. Hopefully someday, I'll find a happy middle. My whole life, I usually keep all my thoughts and feelings bottled up then it'll just explode. I'm starting therapy next week and hopefully that'll help.

[deborah27 in reply to Grace367]

use here too, get it all out and have a rant now and then. really good for us and sometimes it can give us a bit of a release and a smile at each other's antics trying to get through things.

[Grace367 in reply to deborah27]

Yea, I'm really glad I found this group. I just joined a couple days ago and it's been comforting at least to know that other people go through the same stuff I am.

[ThyroidJ in reply to Grace367]

Anxiety really is a pain, it makes you think the worst don’t you think? I thought yesterday because I turned down a job because I’m not well and this job would take nearly 1 1/2 to get to I’ll never ever get another job. This is daft I know

[Hannahsusan in reply to deborah27]

I really appreciate what you said. My family is always saying they don't know what to do with me and it does annoy and sometimes hurts. People not in depression or suffering from anxiety really have a hard time understanding. I am really grateful for this site! It is so much easier when people get it!