Friend faking depression.

[11181118]

I finally decided to take the initiative to tell my bestfriend that I've been struggling with depression and general anxiety disorder for 3 years now. We're both 17 years old and attend the same highschool. She's a very outgoing and confident type of person - she's always under the spotlight and honestly I think she's beautiful that way. We've been friends since birth (our mothers are bestfriends and both single mums). Though my bestfriend has a competitive streak. And I don't mind her being in the spotlight since I'm perfectly content in the background. She helps me get out a lot etc. Last week she asked me what it felt like to have a panic attack so I tried to explain to her what mine usually felt like. And then ever since then she has been blatantly faking panic attacks in school and talking about how she's been struggling with depression and anxiety. Basically she's telling everyone what I told her about myself only making herself out to be the victim. I truly love her because she has a lot of good qaulities and wonderful talents. She feels like a sister to me. But since I felt a little offended at what she was doing I decided to calmly talk to her about it and she made a huge scene and told me that everything isn't always about me and that I am conpletely wrong for judging her and claiming that she was pretending. I know for a fact she is faking it because I spoke to her mother about it. I really miss her and it hurts me quite a lot that I might possibly lose my bestfriend. I don't want to make things awkward between my mum and her friend either. What should I do? Should I just pretend that nothing happened and be polite?

[grace111]

there are two things you can do.

number one. forget all about what she has done and she will soon get bored and never ever tell her anything about your depression again as you know she will mimic it herself. if she asks just tell her its to hard to describe. or tell her talking about it makes it worse and that your trying to put it out of your mind.

number 2. think of something really really silly or pathetic and see how happy she is to imitate that.im to mature to think of anything silly enough. 😂to be honest as you say she gets you out and it has helped you so much and you dont want to loose that. not only that. how much attention is she getting.? maybe if you were more open then you would get that attention. you dont mind her being in the spotlight. but not with your thunder. i understand that and it would really annoy me. you have the right answer pretend nothing happened. remember imitation is the highest form of flatter. but keep this in mind. and learn from it. if you tell her anymore details of your illness then its your own fault if she mimics it because it means you have not learned your lesson. however im sure you have.

[11181118 in reply to grace111]

I don't want any attention on me at all haha I just felt kond of betrayed - it kinda feels like she is mocking me. As for how much attention she's getting : Quite a lot - not the good kind. For now I stopped speaking with her because I'm afraid I might lose my temper and I don't want to do that since I absolutely despise conflict situations. I'll go with pretending nothing happened and being polite. I just find it difficult to look her in the eyes without wanting to cringe. I'll try my best though! Thanks for the reply. ☺

[grace111 in reply to 11181118]

you seem such a nice person and your doing the right thing. i dont think she is moking you i think that she feels that your in a terrible situation but she doesnt want you to have the sympathy she wants it. so you see she is not as confident as you think she is.to need all this attention, just know when you do look her in the eys how much of a mature lady you are, and she is the child behaving like this. and what a sensible person you are as well. as you get a lot out of this friendship.and your doing the right thing and dont forget not to tell her anymore. it was so nice communication with you. i feel good vibes from you. love grace xoxoxo💐

[Olderal]

I would be polite and pretend nothing happened. I would however be a little wary of her , it seems a very strange thing for her to do,especially as you know where she got her information from.

Olderal

[11181118 in reply to Olderal]

It's not really strangr for her. She always seems to want the things I have. If I had the flu - she wants to have some worse form of it. But she gets that part of her personality from her dad. So I can't really blame her for that. Other than doing hurtful things sometimes - she's a good friend. Thank you so much for your opinion and reply. ☺

[Toci]

Seems to me she has something lacking in her life and whatever that is she sees it in you. She seems to envy you to the point of wanting to be more like you. So, take it as a compliment, let it slide and be much more careful about what you trust her with. x

[Lizbett]

Hello there. Some great responses here. Deal with your anger, upset, etc. Get on with your life. Be polite. Ignore what has happened BUT learn from it and do not speak about it to her again. Focus on her good points and not her bad one's.

I think your friend might have problems she has yet to realise so if I were you I would be EXTREMELY wary and selective of what you divulge in the future.

[copasedic]

Lose the fake friend.