I have very much wondered this myself in reading here. I would also add to be cautious of pity-collectors. They are exhausting and usually have no interest in actually getting better. Their stories are often drastic (and mysterious), causing caring helper types into get invested. I have personal experience helping (trying to help) what turned out to be a pity-collector and found it never actually ended. It was just one thing after another. It is sad to think, but helping is often enabling, as they find "pay off" in pity. The relationship will be very unbalanced, with one always giving, and the other always taking. They will suck the life out of you if you're not careful.

I hope she isn't, but I have not been able to shake a bad feeling. Hope I am not being too blunt. I know how important friends can be, but it's also important that they *be* friends.

Doctors would be my only suggestion. They may never have answers, but no one else can really either.

I really hope I haven't overstepped here. I only speak up because I've seen you to be a very caring person, and I don't want to see you get hurt.