My friend has been having some problems lately. I've only met her for a few months and she has confided in me often about what she's been going through. She's been feeling lots of ups and downs and have been having thoughts of suicide often. She has told me that in the past, she tried many ways of suicide(OD, running in front of cars, cutting, etc.). Recently, she's been telling me that she forgot many things that have been mentioned to her by our other friends and she's stressing over it to the point of breaking down into tears. She doesn't remember things as often and forget easily, but she's distressed about the fact of not remember some people that she was close to with her friends. She has a fear of doctors and are paranoid enough to think that they would try to kill her, and wouldn't want to go anywhere near them. She's been seeing things lately also and is scared even in her own house. She says that people are trying to get away from her in relationship, so she has to act normal around them, even when she knows shes ready to cry and what not. Just recently, a few weeks ago, she's been hearing voices threatening to kill her, her family and friends. She ignores it because she thinks of it as an over reactive imagination, but claims that there have been times where she have tried to harm herself and her family and friends but don't recollect why.
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Answers
It sounds to me that she really does need to visit a doctor. It is pretty scary for her, I imagine. Hearing the voices and worrying (excessively) and that kind of thing is not a good thing to live with.
Is it possible she would go to the Doctor if you went with her (if you wanted)?
It is extremely scary to think she feels alone even though she has you.
She needs to be taken to a Doctor immediately.
Best,
Clyde
I've asked her about that before and she says that she'd try to. She's still having a hard time dealing with this, but she seems to be doing well in school. She coped with her feelings for a few years and have been used to telling people that she is feeling well when she has things on her mind. She tried to go to a doctor with me but she started to hear the voices telling her that she would get killed or that she will end up harming them in a way. She's so terrified of doctors and of the voices that she doesn't know what to do.
I do plan of taking her to the doctors again, but she says that she won't promise anything. She's always saying that there would be no point in promising if she knew that she was going to do the opposite.
What's bothering me is that she's been going through this since 5th grade(she's in 8th now) and hasn't even spoken to her parents. For some reason, she's believing that everyone she knows will get hurt by her if she tries to say anything.
I've convinced her that I can listen to her anytime, and I know she's trying her best, but there are still things that I won't be able to understand.
She's tried numerous times in trying to communicate to others that she's going through this, but it seems as though it's not helping her and she's feeling as though she should give it all up.
I'm starting to feel as though I can't do anything because I just don't know how I should handle it. I've never been through something like this and it's hard for me to cope with.
How about talking to a counselor at school? she is not a doctor, would that be ok to her?
it looks like she is in great mental pain at such a young age. did you tell her although she told you her problems, nobody died around her?
you are a very good friend, i hope at the end she gets the help she needs.
good luck!
She doesn't really feel comfortable around anyone she doesn't know and she's intimidated by most people. I'll see what I can do about that, though. Perhaps, she'd like to try.
I have told her that nobody died around her, but for some reason, she's been telling me about people actually dying. She's seen things that frightened her and keeps her from actually listening to my words.
I'm sure that I'll be able to help her and that she will get the help.
Thank you for your help and support.
I can definitely understand that it is EXTREMELY hard for you to cope with it.
You are such a great friend to help her with this.
She does need to see someone, though, cause she may not ever get better if she doesnt--or she may just completely collapse mentally if she doesnt.
I really hope she gets to see a Doc soon. But please take care of yourself too...you need to be sure you are healthy before you take care or help someone else.
Best,
Clyde
She's opened up to people and we're all supporting her. We may all go to the doctors with her, to help her get through with this. There are still some things that we may have to continue telling her before we go to the doctors. We do not want to stress or pressure her into doing anything, but we all do wish for her to get better.
Oh, I am very glad to hear this! I hope she continues to get better--its a long road, but it is so worth it!
Good job to you, too, by the way!
Best,
Clyde
We've started to try and help her with her SI problems. I suppose we're going to be doing things slowly starting with one problem to the next. We've still got to see her doctor about this. She'll tell us all when she's ready to speak to one.
yeah see most people who are emotinally unstable and feel like they cant talk to any one will usually turn to friends in hope tht they will be there and understand i do this myself alot which is good just make sure you stick around becuz she will need you more then you may ever know and there are probably alot of thought in her head and she may not know what they mean now trying to get her to c a doctor would prove to be benificial in the long run now u are not a miracle worker dont try this on ur own becuz it could possibly bring great stress on you now dont go around talking to ur bodies about this cuz she might lose trust in you instead talk with a school consuler family member maybe not parents if she doesnt get along with them it is going to be difficult i wount lie there
She went to the doctors about 2 weeks ago and was sent to the hospital. She's doing better and is starting school again soon. She's doing better for her situation, and taking a step forward. Fortunately, she's feeling much better. She's still seeing a psychiatrist and therapist, so I'm hoping it'll help her get out off all this. I don't know much about it, but she does seem to be doing better...
Yohlie, I was wondering what became of this, and what you did.
good wishes
drjean