It is for me. I cannot speak twoards your friends motivation, but for me it is not that I am trying to distance myself, it's more that I let my gaurd down around cetain people.

It took a long time for my husband to understand that I wasn't trying to push him away I was just fighting so hard to keep moving that I had no energy for anything else.

When we are around other people I put on my party face. I don't want people to know I am depressed so I laugh and smile, tell jokes etc. but it wears me out and I always pay for it the next day.

What helped in my husband was finding resources to help him understand what I was going through. There are lots of books, online comics, and even online games that can help you understand their point of view and help you with the stress.

It sounds like you are a wonderful caring friend. I hope it works out for you