My best friend has a tough life and mine is really easy; I want to help her out but really can't do anything but listen, and I feel like this is driving us apart.
For example, she battles an eating disorder and self injury, issues of past abuse (in several manners), is worried about maintaining her employment status, isn't sure she can afford to go to college, can't afford the medicine that she needs to take, and has to help her family through financial troubles even though they waste a lot of their own money on themselves and she has hardly any.
In contrast, I've never been employed and I'm going to college through a combination of scholarship programmes and my parents' financial foresight (they were fortunate enough to set up a low-tuition programme for me). Plus I generally get along with my family, haven't ever been abused or suffered from an ED, and generally lead a great life.
What should I do?
2007-01-19 16:01:24 · 4 answers · asked by Rat 7 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
I try to help her out as much as I can... listen to her, help her sort out her issues, et cetera. The thing is that she keeps asking why I'm so private about my life when she shares so much with me about hers, and the answer is that I am ashamed to say that I have such a cushy life. I'm not rubbing it in her face at all; I take a lot of care not to show off or even to reference parts of my life that I talk freely about with other friends.
2007-01-19 18:16:16 · update #1
Listening is a beautiful thing. And I feel you are doing your best by just being there. I understand that her life was very difficult and challenging-- but I also understand that she has a wonderful friend who wants to listen, and wants to give her a shoulder to cry on. It would also be a better idea, not to mention the details of your life and ease. Im sure you have also had your share of tests and concerns in life, but that you had a happier situation, If you dont tell her more of it , she will have less of it to complain about.
Take a deep breath. You worry even now, and it shows
you ARE doing something.
best of luck
2007-01-19 16:12:00 · answer #1 · answered by Bellezza Caotica 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i've been through the same situation. essentially you are doing all you can do. she needs counseling and a better situation, neither of which you can force her to have. without outside help nothing is going to change, that's all I can tell you
2007-01-20 00:10:19 · answer #2 · answered by Mr Hawk 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
just be there for her if she needs you. I'm not sure what else you can do
2007-01-20 00:11:31 · answer #3 · answered by bluecolouredflames 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you're screwed
get a new best friend, don't deal with that
2007-01-20 00:12:44 · answer #4 · answered by char char 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋