I don't think you have issues with friendships because your reactions seem very grounded to me. What stands out (from my perspective) is WHO you deem a friend. Anyone can offer pleasantries and if you meet someone while under duress (like in a hospital) often the "connection:" is wrapped in the reasons both of you are there. Once that is lifted, then you find out if you have the makings for a longer connection. That's a common theme I have seen in both friendships and relationships. When you get to know someone while you're in crisis, there's something very uplifting about having a person who can relate. And too often we build more meaning into that than we should because the feeling of connection is so strong we think these bonds have legs on them to carry us forward. Not always the case. Sometimes seldom the case. There's a kind of codependency built in with sharing issues. But the problem with that is once someone gets better, that lifts the codependency and suddenly you don;t see them much anymore.

Ultimately friendships have to come about from more meaningful places. In my experience it comes from shared value systems, similar maturity levels, and a measure of respect for one another that is always present regardless of life circumstances. Now none of that means you have to be in touch nonstop. I have deep friendships with people who live in other states. I do well to actually put eyes on them once a year. But we can get on the phone periodically and talk for hours. And if there's a problem we always reach out to each other immediately. I also have friends locally of course, but like anything there are LEVELS of friendships too.

There's one friend I have known for 45 years, We have allot of shared interests and skillsets that bring us together for hobbies and various conventions. But he's not a person I want to necessarily confide in because I don't consider him as emotionally mature as myself. I have a family so I am constantly on the move and seldom get allot of free time. So the majority of my closest friends are connected through texting, calls, or occasional hook ups. Its about life priorities. Friends are nice and can be an invaluable tool, but they are not all equal. Always remember that. Some people are good for a laugh here and there. Some are good for occasional get togethers. And then, if you're lucky, you find one maybe two, who are very close, that are grounded, reliable, and understand you (and THEMSELVES) well enough to be life long friends and perhaps confidants on some matters. But its never one size fits all.

So be careful, appreciate good times when they are shared with others, but keep expectations measured. It takes time to really figure people out. And their makeup consists of all sorts of factors - maturity, honesty, character, motivations, and of course shared interests. Not all of your friends will carry all of these traits well, so you might want to decide who is worth investing time in based on these factors. People who are generally not reliable or seem to duck out of the scene early when they are with you, do not sound like people that invested in you to even be casual friends. It sounds to me like they are being polite to be around you, which is a waste of time in my book, Move forward and in time you will meet better people. But hold yourself to a standard. People who make you feel bad or walk away are not people who need to be understood. They need to be dismissed. You count so don't let people handle you like you're bothering them. If you get that impression, cut them loose. Life is too short to waste on people who can not show up when their supposed to.