An online friend is in need of money (or so he says) and asked me to help. I've said in the past that I would help him but at the moment, I have nothing to offer. Not money, not even emotional support. My mood swings (I am bipolar) are so severe that I'm just not functioning and I'm of little use to anyone right now.

When I explained to this friend that I couldn't help as expected, he exploded. He spoke of how he trusted me and I "f***ed" him over. He claims he will now be homeless and I'm responsible.

This situation has made my condition 10 times worse. I'm having a hard time sleeping and when I do sleep, I wake up with mini panic attacks. I'm having paranoid thoughts, such as "Will he track me down and hurt me if I don't help?" or "Will he totally destroy my online reputation because of this?" Most of all, I worry constantly about a person being homeless of something I've done.

How can I deal with these emotions? How can I rid myself of such overwhelming guilt? I don't see any way out of this and it terrifies me.