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My friend

SebSeb Posts: 126 The Mix Convert
in Sex & Relationships
I keep on messing up my relationship with my friend. His ptsd gets severely triggered by feeling ignored, and I keep on reading his message and then not answering him, wether I get distracted or something else. I keep on saying I’ll do better, but I don’t seem to. I feel awful about this. I know how it feels to be the friend that everyone picks last, the one no one actually likes, and I hate that I’ve made him feel like that consistently. So I think I’m taking a break from other social media to focus on repairing our relationship. Because he’s been there for me, and then I haven’t been there for him, while he’s battling homelessness and severe depression. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Comments

  • 63marie63marie Posts: 86 Budding Regular
    Hey @Seb, thank you for being so open. It's understandable you're feeling this way, but the way you're reaching out for support shows you really care about your friend and want to help, which is really kind of you. It can be hard to keep up with messages when we've got other things on and keep getting distracted so don't be too hard on yourself – it's easier said than done though I know! Taking a step back from social media to focus on the relationship sounds like a good idea, maybe you could send check-ins regularly to see how they're getting on if you can't respond fully all the time. Relationships can be tricky, so be kind to yourself and it's shows what a good friend you are that you've come on here to reach out for advice :)
  • SebSeb Posts: 126 The Mix Convert
    Thank you @63marie I just want to be a good friend to him because he’s got no one else. People have gaslit him and said they’d stay friends and they haven’t. I don’t want him to think I’d ever do that. I read a little but on about cptsd. He’s also neurotypical and I’m neurodivergent for context.
  • 63marie63marie Posts: 86 Budding Regular
    I can really hear how much you care about him @Seb, he's lucky to have you as a friend. It's totally understandable that you don't want to make him feel hurt. I'm also neurodivergent so I understand how hard it is to communicate and understand relationships, but it sounds like you're doing everything you can to support him. Also reading up about cptsd shows how much of a good friend you are and how much you're willing to support him. Make sure you look after yourself too :)
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