Depressed best friend...far away :(
Posted: Mon Jun 19, 2017 8:38 am
Dear All,
A very very dear friend has been suffering periods of depression on and off for a few years after experiencing some very sad events.
I moved far away from her a few months ago and she seems to have fallen into depression again around January. I really want to be a good friend and support her during good and bad times, after all she is a really good friend. But during this period she seems to have developed a lot of anger towards me and seems to have misunderstood my words.
We used to keep in touch by chat, together with my hubby and her husband as a friends group chat. But she seemed to really direct a lot of hate towards me specifically and it was hard for me to take, so I have been avoiding this communication tool for a while.
Thinking with a fresh mind, the hurtful feelings she expressed towards me are probably due to her state of depression. We used to get along so well before and I did not deliberately do anything to hurt her. In fact quite the opposite, I have been meaning to be a good friend to her, but clearly didn't help.
In the past I flew over to see her and try and talk face to face, as I wanted her to see I really cared and missed her. But I can't afford to do that very often and I am not sure it really helped.
I do not know what is the best way to get back in touch with her and how can I be of support whilst far away. Based on your experience what could work and what should I avoid?
A very very dear friend has been suffering periods of depression on and off for a few years after experiencing some very sad events.
I moved far away from her a few months ago and she seems to have fallen into depression again around January. I really want to be a good friend and support her during good and bad times, after all she is a really good friend. But during this period she seems to have developed a lot of anger towards me and seems to have misunderstood my words.
We used to keep in touch by chat, together with my hubby and her husband as a friends group chat. But she seemed to really direct a lot of hate towards me specifically and it was hard for me to take, so I have been avoiding this communication tool for a while.
Thinking with a fresh mind, the hurtful feelings she expressed towards me are probably due to her state of depression. We used to get along so well before and I did not deliberately do anything to hurt her. In fact quite the opposite, I have been meaning to be a good friend to her, but clearly didn't help.
In the past I flew over to see her and try and talk face to face, as I wanted her to see I really cared and missed her. But I can't afford to do that very often and I am not sure it really helped.
I do not know what is the best way to get back in touch with her and how can I be of support whilst far away. Based on your experience what could work and what should I avoid?