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Member
Member Since Dec 2022
Location: New York State
Posts: 228
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#1
Feeling baffled and confused. My friend is staying with me and is experiencing a very deep depressive episode. Every day she talks non-stop about her problems and it's triggering me. I can't get a word in at all before she turns it back about her. I can see how distraught she is and recognize her suffering
Today she came to my sons(I'm watching my 3 year old grandson) brought us coffee and started in complaining again. I was extra triggered and stressed while trying to talk AND watch my grandson. She has a very fatalistic attitude and nothing I was saying was helping. She was not open to receive any point of view. I tried to interject and point out times when she was strong and she started crying and accused me of invalidating her and that she thought I was the one person who understood her and felt like I was competing with dysfunction. Then she left.. I feel bad. I feel triggered. I want to message her and say something like "I am struggling with the intensity of your emotions and it's triggering for me. I meant no harm but I am not trained to counsel in these extreme situations" Do you think that would make her more upset? Should I not say anything? When she's talking I feel held hostage and am scared to say anything for fear of escalating things just like they did. Sent from my LM-G710VM using Tapatalk |
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Grand Member
Member Since Aug 2022
Location: The House
Posts: 989
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#2
Sounds like she might have some borderline personality traits.
I would let her stew on her own for a while, and when she does contact you, listen only for a bit and then say you're in the middle of something and cut her off. You don't need to pander after her, especially when you're looking after your grandson. Sorry to hear you got triggered... step away and put your own oxygen mask on first. |
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DeeeSchmeee68
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Member
Member Since Dec 2022
Location: New York State
Posts: 228
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#3
We did try and set some boundaries however she is staying with me so it's extra extra difficult to have time away.
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#4
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If that doesn't work, you have every legal right to tell her...not ask...but tell her to leave your house. Her accommodations after that is not your responsibility. You can also call your local county crisis line, report your friend, and ask them to take her to inpatient. They will send a social worker and an ambulance. Then, whatever happens to her is her responsibility. |
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DeeeSchmeee68
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#5
I will add she is a threat to your grandson's well-being and is clearly presenting a safety issue for you and your grandson. Prioritize your and your grandson's well-being over your friend's mental illness. She is triggering you, which affects how well you can care for your son's child. This sounds like a very unsafe environment for your grandson. Please tell your friend to leave. She needs to leave your house. That's clear.
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DeeeSchmeee68
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Member
Member Since Dec 2022
Location: New York State
Posts: 228
1 15 hugs
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#6
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