Personally I'd say that were still friends, I just wanted to know what you guys think
2007-03-21 07:41:09 · 40 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Mental Health
It depends on whether the illness was something small that I could help them out with or if it was something huge that might get in the way of our friendship...
Either way - I would do my best to help.
It's just that some things are a little too big for me right now... like if they told me that they had an illness that made them do illegal things... that would be a tough one.
Honestly, it takes a very strong, committed friend to stick with someone through a prison sentence for something that most of society finds objectionable...
It is also difficult to stick with someone who is paranoid szchizophrenic... I know that from experience... I had a friend who killed herself because of that... it was really hard to deal with but I'm still so glad that we were friends.
People really did not understand her like I did... I am a more "aware" person today because of her.
2007-03-21 07:44:00 · answer #1 · answered by rabble rouser 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It can be a bit scary when someone close to you is diagnosed with any illness, and I can understand someone not knowing how to react. But remember that a mental illness is like any other and it doesn't mean that he's not the same friend as you've always had. He'll need your support now more than ever and if you're not sure how you can do that the best thing is to contact a mental health charity and try to find out all you can about his condition, and also to talk to him and say that you care about him and want to help but are feeling a bit scared too - chances are he's terrified! I'm not sure if your question is just hypothetical or not, but if you are talking about a real friend then good luck - hope he gets better soon xx
2007-03-21 08:06:08 · answer #2 · answered by Cathy :) 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mental Illness can mean many things, such as Post Traumatic Syndrome, Manic Depressive, Schizophrenia Disorder, Depression. This does not mean that they are dangerous, just that their mental state needs a more sensitive approach without offending the person who is suffering with these problems. I have suffered from depression since my Heart attack in June 2002 and believe U me when U can't be hired because of a dodgy ticker that in itself causes a depression. I have good friends who keep my sanity on the straight road otherwise I would have been dead a couple of years ago.
2007-03-21 07:56:33 · answer #3 · answered by Le Baron 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'd tell them it is nothing to be ashamed of or feel guilty about. I would also tell them that I also suffer from a mental illness, and so can empathise on a personal level. If they needed help and support I would guide them in the right direction. As I have found the best place for me to gain support was from a local Mind charity I would advocate finding one in their area, they are non-judgemental, very knowledgeable and much more approachable than health professionals!!
2007-03-21 13:21:05 · answer #4 · answered by Jules 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you really a good friend you will listen and be supportive.
Having a mental illness is really not all that uncommon
and the best part is he feels he can trust you or he's getting help.
2007-03-21 07:49:01 · answer #5 · answered by kelly e 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
my best friend has various personality disorders and depression, but they're the same great person they usually are. just because they have a mental illness doesn't mean they are any different in terms of friendship. it also depends on the illness, but in pretty much all cases it shouldn't change anything. my other friend has OCD, and shes no different either.
2007-03-21 07:50:03 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Support him, he needs help and support, don't let your friendship go just because of an illness you can't see.
true friends are hard to find, I would think myself very lucky and proud if one of my friends told me they had a mental illness.
I have been suffering from mental illness for years, I have only one true friend I can rely on, hopefully you will be that friend for your friend.
Don't be afraid of what you can't see, your friend trusts you, otherwise he wouldn't have told you. Be there for him and wish him a steady journey on his road home from me, it won't be easy for him so stay true and support him.
2007-03-21 11:50:35 · answer #7 · answered by lazybird2006 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It wouldn't bother me because I'm a depressive its nothing to be ashamed of if your friend had a physical illness you'd probably be sympathetic just because someone has mental illness it doesn't make them social miss fits.
2007-03-22 10:13:02 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would react towards them exactly the same way I did before I was told. I would ask them what the illness was that they had been diagnosed with so that I could do research on the internet to see if there was any help I could offer.
2007-03-21 07:50:52 · answer #9 · answered by ragingmk 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My best friend does have a mental illness, and we are still good friends. Sometimes we just need to accommodate her interesting perspective on things. She is a good friend and struggles with her problems in the best way she can. Her illness doesn't disturb her abilities to help others, it just keeps her self-esteem so low she hurts herself.
2007-03-21 07:42:44 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋