Helping a friend made difficult

Has anyone else ever had a friend come to you needing help with an issue you also suffer with and had a flare up with your issue so you feel unable to help them?

Replies

deleted_user
deleted_user

All the time. But I go by the rules of my support group, we\'re not licensed professionals and there\'s not really alot we can do but listen. And even sometimes, I\'m sure often in my case, that can be difficult in itself.

So listen when you can, but nobody is gonna blame you for not being able to cure them. And every now and then you\'ll have good advice, and maybe 10% of that time somebody will actually take it. But the lives and problems of others are not your responsibility, unfortunately for all of us dealing with mental illness the ultimate responsibility is always on our shoulders.

I for one truly appreciate that you listen to me, even when I\'m being an impossible jackass. I doubt I\'m alone in that sentiment.
fluterify
fluterify

Aww, this means so much. Thanl- you. Yeah, I\'m one of those people who always feel bad if they feel they haven\'t been able to help.
deleted_user
deleted_user

Most people don\'t want advice or help, they usually just need to vent to someone who will listen and then they usually just solve the problem their own way, anyway. That\'s how I see it anyway.
deleted_user
deleted_user

sometimes, you have the right to be selfish, and say \"I wish i could do more, but I am dealing with my own stuff\"
deleted_user
deleted_user

I have that problem too. Sometimes I even have the problem that... sometimes I feel so helpless in helping someone and am an empathetic person that my empathy overwhelms me and I feel their emotions so much, that I\'m no help. I wish it wasn\'t the case though because I really want to help people.
deleted_user
deleted_user

You can only do what you can do. We must first take care of ourselves or we have nothing to offer anyone else.

Give your self a break and accept what you cannot change. It\'s momentary and you will be able to offer your friend help another time.....
deleted_user
deleted_user

I agree with \"Mrsmartypants\" there is really not a lot we can do but listen. But I think most of us want to help if we can. It\'s human nature. Thank goodness we have this avenue to vent and have people listen. And thank you for listening so many times to my stuff. Hugs, Danette