[paintedturtle]

Have you ever felt like you've lost something you can never get back, eve though you desperately want it - like a trusted, dear friend that had to distance themselves for their own sanity. As much as he says he wants to be in my life, he still distances himself. I miss him so much that it makes me feel sick sometimes. How do you deal with it?? How do you just let go, when you feel you've lost one of the greatest, most loving friends you've ever had?? Please help. Thanks. - Mary / PaintedTurtle

[piggy momma]

Yes. When my last therapist retired, we remained very, very good friends. We had a falling out this past April, and he’s gone for good. I can never get him back, but I still think about him every day.

[MickeyCheeky]

I'm sorry you're struggling so bad. Did this friend leave because he felt he couldn't take it anymore? Please remember that it's not your fault this happened.

[paintedturtle]

Originally Posted by MickeyCheeky

I'm sorry you're struggling so bad. Did this friend leave because he felt he couldn't take it anymore? Please remember that it's not your fault this happened.

He never shared with me why he's pulled away. I just assume it's because I've been sick so often in the past, participating in dangerous, self destructive behaviors, suicide attempts,multiple hospitalizations. He helped mre get through a round of ECT treatments. I just assume it was too much and he won't talk to me, so I can't know for sure what happened or what I can do to repair it, if anything. I'm just heart-broken. Thanks for responding - Mary - PaintedTurtle

I wish I had friends in the first place.
it seems that stigma follows me everywhere, and people will usually pick up on the fact I have something they don't like, or have not been around, and leave because of that
it's easy to guess, too- even if I don't say anything

I've sort of given up trying to find friends- which sucks, because at the moment my support network is so small and I really want to expand it and talk to people on a regular bases (even via email), but it's tough when they just turn away

it's the did that mainly puts people off, they'll go to me... I've never been around someone with blackouts, I'm scared, and I often try to tel them it's okay- that it's just like being on pause

but they hate it

[beanie baby]

*TW*.............. Yes. Ive lost a lot of people. I lost my husband of 18 years. I had to divorce him against my will because he tried to

Possible trigger:

........................mercy kill .............me due to my illness.

Its messed up, I know. So lonely now.

[MickeyCheeky]

((((paintedturtle)))) I'm sorry to hear about your friend. You will get over it, but it will take time to heal.

((((beanie baby)))) I'm so sorry that happened to you. It sounds so horrible.

I've lost friends due to either my mental illnesses or their mental illnesses

(((((beanie baby))))) that sounds awful, I am so sorry that happened

[kayhay]

Having traits of borderline and ptsd drove many good people away from me. But they were also shallow in their hears.

[MickeyCheeky]

((((Everyone))))

[unfoldingxwings]

Yes.

I've been in remission for 2 years now, and these people still won't let me back in their life. Or won't acknowledge I've recovered and changed. Sometimes you are going to lose people, and the best thing you can do is cut your losses and open the door for new people in your life. Giving others the opportunity to love you. We're all very lovable people no matter what our diagnosis is. Sometimes relationships end so new and better ones can come in.

[Esmme]

I lost a friend because of my "schizophenia"
She knew me when I was 16 and things were great then as I got older I got worse and worse

To be fair, she had her own mental health issues too and she was incredibly selfish

[Mountaindewed]

I got sick when I started junior high. I had a lot of friends that I had since preschool and Kindergarten that stopped being friends with me because of my issues. They then turned the school against me. I can’t really blame them though. I wasn’t really nice and my behavior was odd. Plus we were in junior High and junior high kids usually are assholes. I felt hurt though that every time I tried to make new friends my old friends told these kids not to be friends with me and these new kids listened. I remember one time a group of kids invited me to sit with them and the next day I was not invited but an old friend was and I was at a table by myself while she kept turning around and staring at me. That friend in particular still hurts. I didn’t do anything big to her I don’t think. I really just remember that she got new friends and didn’t want anything to do with me anymore. She was still friends with me a couple months after the others stopped being friends with me. I just feel really betrayed by her. I remember asking her if I was still her friend and she didn’t respond. 13 years later I wonder how she feels now about the situation. If she’s matured at all and feels guilty or still doesn’t care or if she honestly doesn’t even remember. I keep getting told that your real friends will stick by you no matter what. Yet it still hurts.

Sometimes what we want just isn't in the cards. Please don't feel hopeless, you'd be surprised how the future can change in ways we can't imagine. Focus on yourself and who knows, maybe you will be the one turning from his attention. Good luck and be well