Two of my best friends have really big problems. One cuts herself and the other just has a fucked up life. They've told me a lot about each of their problems and I'm always there to listen to them, but now they've got me stressed. Some things they tell me aren't something I'd like to hear coming from my best friends mouth.

It's gotten bad that I've lost sleep at night, been grouchy, and have ticked my mom off pretty bad. I love my friends and I don't want to see them get hurt, but right now I don't know what to do. If I try to get help, they won't couperate, hate me for it, and never will trust me again. If I stop being their friend then that just might push them over the edge. What should I do?

Do there parents know whats going on with them?

I don't think so. I absolutly know that one of their parents is part of the problem, but it's nothing serious like abuse or sexual abuse.

I know how you feel about loosing sleep over your friends lol, Helping people seems to consume my life, my parents cant stand it and think i'm waisting my time, but i know that if I can help just one person feel a bit happier its worth it.

That's good you're helping people though, the worst part is losing sleep though. :sleepy:

I used to do that!! I learned that what comes first and is important is me. Sure my friends are important but my priorities should always lie in making sure I'm better/okay first. If helping is making you tired, stessed out etc its time for you to take a break and trust that if they want help bad enough they will see a profesional who is qualified in dealing with large amounts of stress. Afterall you are only human.

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'm sleeping much better now. I still worry about them, but it's not during the nighttime. :hugs:

Sorry I'm a little late on responding, but maybe ask them to go see a school councellor? Might help a little

I never thought of that, problem is, they won't want to go. I would have to go and find out what to do. Then our counselor would basically say, talk to them and they should be in there.

It is really difficult dealing with friends' serious problems, especially if they won't get professional help. Listen to them when they need to talk and help them as much as you can but don't forget about yourself. You can't let their problems consume your life even though you care about them. Good luck :)

Thank you for the advice ukgirly.

Well when I used to cut, two of my..no ex friends, had gone to the Child and Youth Councellor at our school, and he called me down, maybe you could do that. ust tell the councellor not to tell then that it is your. That would proboally work.

Wow, if you have read any of my journal entries, this was a very apparent and daily problem for me, so much that I let it drag me down to the brink of a mental breakdown. It is actually one of the reasons I found this support group type forum. I think everyone can relate to this in a way, but my suggestion is taking a step back and saying, "I love you enough to let you go."

You always need to worry about you, your a great person for trying to help them out, but sometimes, it doesn't matter how much you do, how hard you try, or how long you stick by their side. Tough love is needed for all of us sometimes, and it sounds like your friends need to look at what they are doing and realize that they will loose you if they can't stop.

Humans ultimately make their own decisions, we can only try to seek out so much help, we all make our own decisions. Personally, I have a hard time talking serious because I am of the joking type. Try writing something out if need be. You can always come and talk to me about this.

I'll keep you in my prayers...

Posted twice, sorry.

Thank you all for the advice. :hugs: