"Friends"

[Jrick34]

Hey guys, hope everyone is doing well. Its hard to find real friends these days. Most people don't understand the struggle of dealing anxiety ;depression and they may feel like we can be a burden or not fun to be around. I couldn't disagree more. We all have our moments but for the most part I believe we are all trying to make the best of our situation. There's 2 billion people in the world and my charm-filled charisma self can only muster up 2 friends. (Bad self joke). But seriously, real friends are good to have. I hope to continue to find them in this group.

[lolanell]

I hope you can find some friends. This is a safe place I am a mess now. Two good friends are worth 100 bad ones.

[samack in reply to lolanell]

oops I mean jrick.

[samack]

You will Lolanell. 2 good friends are a blessing Mine are far away. 100 bad =0.

[lolanell in reply to samack]

👍

[lolanell]

👍

[pam4him]

Real friends are a treasure. There are some that would be jealous you have two. For me, it's more about the quality of the friendship than the number of friends I have. And I've found that a lot of people are like me, trying their best to hide the anxiety and depression to look/feel like they belong. We all have things we hide from the world. But when we find those 1 or 2 people who love us regardless, that's when it's real. Hang in there, we're here for you. Prayers for peace and true friends.

[Jax-in-CA]

I'm new but I'll try to share something worthwhile.

I was fortunate to speak on the phone with two of my oldest, closest and real friends earlier today. One of whom can talk about anything and walk through the darkest woods to try and help, and another who doesn't deal as well with the darkness, but always has my back. I think part of not being able to handle the darkness comes from a lack of being able to identify with it. I don't blame him. It's just not (as much) part of who he is.

They make all the other friends I've had seem like acquaintances. People who you can enjoy the better parts of life with, who will also walk down the troubled path with you when called upon are very difficult to find. If I don't recognize them as blessings then I'm blind.

[lolanell]

Hi, how are you today. I want you to know I feel comfort in getting to know all of you. I keep all this stuff to myself and often think others do not understand. I get the dark feelings. I hope we all can get to know each other and create bonds.

[Remesana in reply to lolanell]

I feel the same way a lot. It's hard to tell persons about your Mental Health and the y think you're making excuses. I think that having friends who can relate makes you feel so much at ease. Just coming here makes me feel like I'm not alone🙂

[lolanell in reply to Remesana]

Mental health is so hard to define. I think the hardest part is wanting to die so much, but in reality I do want to live. Do you feel sick from trying to please everyone and not let them know how bad you feel.

[Remesana in reply to lolanell]

Yup. I like feel like this a lot of times

[Remesana]

Hey Jrick, I totally relate to this. I tend to stay for myself and not make friends because I know at one point I may have to explain why I'm the way that I am. To the few persons that I told about my mental health just made me feel worse for telling them.

[Jax-in-CA in reply to Remesana]

Hi Remesana,

I too find it difficult when I honestly tell someone if I’m not feeling ok and they either shun me or tell me to get over it, like I’m being weak.

But I think there’s a lot of truth that the people who share how they really feel are actually courageous and stronger than they think they are. The ones who you rarely or never hear about their feelings from can often be afraid to share them, and the things people fear, they tend to hate or at least ignore.

The other possibility is that those people have a system in their lives where they can break down their pain with a person or people who listen and help out. I think it’s possible that what a lot us of suffer from is loneliness and feeling like we don’t have enough support, even if we’re married and have people on our lives. That doesn’t mean they all have the time or ability to help, but coming here to reach out means were probably not getting the kind of help we need from those around us.

I’m just thinking out loud and trying to get perspective. Maybe I’m not telling you anything you don’t know but I know we all benefit from helping each other.

[Remesana in reply to Jax-in-CA]

I totally agree. That's why I come here. I do feel lonely a lot of times and there's no one around that I can talk to that would be supportive without judgement.