Robbed
01-27-2011, 04:15 PM
I have a friend who I have known for almost 20 years. He's certainly not a bad guy. But he has a SERIOUS problem with OCD, as well as general depression and anxiety. He has always had these problems. But it seems like they just get worse and worse. He has been on and off various SSRIs over the years. And these drugs seem to do little to nothing for him apart from causing side effects (which ultimately motivate him to get off the drugs, only to restart them when he feels particularly bad). He has tried therapy on and off. But I don't know if the therapists are any good OR whether he is committed. Of course, there is little I can do about this. Regardless of what anyone says (myself included), he is going to do what he is going to do.
Anyway, my REAL issue is hanging out with him, and the effect this has on me. Basically, it just REALLY stresses me out to be with him these days. His STRONG obsessions, as well as his overpowering insistance for me to indulge them is REALLY taxing for me (especially when he turns it all around on me, and suggests that my frustration with his antics is the result of MY anxiety problems!). Given my own problems, I would rather not deal with this. Perhaps the worst part of it all is that I think he REALLY needs SOMEBODY. And there just aren't alot of people out there for him. When I'm not around, he seldom gets out of the house. And because this tends to make him feel bad, he kind of looks at me as his 'pillar of strength'. But let's face it, I don't have it all together, either. And when he calls, I find myself just not wanting to answer the phone.
Any advice? Honestly, I feel bad about leaving him 'out in the cold' like I do. But what could I do to be a friend to this guy without having his condition drag me down?
Anyway, my REAL issue is hanging out with him, and the effect this has on me. Basically, it just REALLY stresses me out to be with him these days. His STRONG obsessions, as well as his overpowering insistance for me to indulge them is REALLY taxing for me (especially when he turns it all around on me, and suggests that my frustration with his antics is the result of MY anxiety problems!). Given my own problems, I would rather not deal with this. Perhaps the worst part of it all is that I think he REALLY needs SOMEBODY. And there just aren't alot of people out there for him. When I'm not around, he seldom gets out of the house. And because this tends to make him feel bad, he kind of looks at me as his 'pillar of strength'. But let's face it, I don't have it all together, either. And when he calls, I find myself just not wanting to answer the phone.
Any advice? Honestly, I feel bad about leaving him 'out in the cold' like I do. But what could I do to be a friend to this guy without having his condition drag me down?