Is it normal that my friend is so intolerant of my anxiety?

Since coming off my old antidepressant, I have gone from being happy-go-lucky and gregarious, to being insecure and worried that people will hate me or reject me. It will take time for my new one to kick in, and it's not reputed for transforming people's personalities in such a dramatic way.

My friend knows I have come off that med. Still, every time worry or fear comes out of me, it seems to nettle her. It's like, she doesn't make a connection between my personality and my wellness. It's almost as if weakness and lack of confidence actually made her angry. She only seems to want to know that I exist when I'm cheerful and carefree. That's hard to achieve now I'm not on the 'happy pill'.

I mainly want to understand: why is she like that? I don't overburden her with my troubles or make a lot of demands on her time. I try to be understanding with her. I ask her how she is feeling, and if she is angry. But she seems to become exasperated and overbearing with me at times when what I need most is reassurance. Why is she like that? I can't get the self back that she used to like because I can't take that antidepressant any more! I really don't want to lose her.

Voting Results
13% Normal
Based on 15 votes (2 yes)
Help us keep this site organized and clean. Thanks!
[ Report Post ]
Comments ( 11 )
  • Ellenna

    She's not being a good friend to you and her attitude is the last thing you need to be around when you're already depressed. I've found many people feel they have to have a solution to fix someone who's depressed.

    I have a friend I stay away from when I'm depressed or stressed because she just doesn't get it.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • A friend should support you through every change in your life. I was on zoloft like 4 or so years ago and after a while I upped the dose and it made things much worse. It can be a pain finding a good one. It got annoying for me so I just stopped them outright. But sometimes feel I still should have them my depressions very bipolar. And ik it effects me as much as others around me sometimes. It hits random stays a day or stays months. And I can’t stay happy or be myself. But as a friend she should be there for you through every step. If she only likes you on certian meds and not your true self in general she’s not a good friend. Find someone more accepting and understanding. This shouldn’t be something to bother you like you should be able to be happy being yourself with someone, someone not so fake like.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • angryblonde

    While struggling with various mental health issues such as anxiety my whole life, I come to realize that a lot of people that don’t have those kind of problems don’t really understand what people that do have those problems are going through. Either way she’s a bad friend. It’s toxic. I would cut her off. You don’t deserve that. You can find someone compassionate.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • Prettyinpurple

    A real friend is a FRIEND for life. Anything that you go through, she should be available and understanding. Anything. I feel like a friend should be like a sister. No judgement and honesty. I myself take Zoloft, the highest dose but I don't talk about it yet she(friend) knows i'm on it. She is distant too. I get you.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • kelili

    I don't think that she is that bad. Maybe the situation is overwhelming her. Remember that it's not all about you but she also has feelings, she also has her own struggles. Have you tried to find out if she is ok?

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • I was put straight on the venlafaxine 75mg, not the half dose people are usually started on - not sure the out of hours doctor really knew what he was doing.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • It was Zoloft, 25 mg. After 4 months it made me very confused and gave me memory problems - remembering names, places, words, conversations... to the extent that following YouTube vids started to become difficult and I could start a sentence (albeit a complex one) and be unable to finish it. Apparently that's not a listed side effect so don't let it put you off. I'm on venlafaxine now, have been for about 2 weeks. I feel less sharp than before and a bit less articulate but not to the extent I was on the Zoloft. Still early days though. I'm really hoping the venlafaxine doesn't leave me the same way and that the problem isn't just SSRIs/SNRIs in totem - they are supposed to be the class of antidepressant with the least potential to mess you up.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • CozmoWank

    Google the term "Fairweather Friend".

    Just curious what was the old med and what is the new?

    Comment Hidden ( show )
      -
    • LornaMae

      I'm curious about the meds, too.

      Comment Hidden ( show )
  • paracetamol

    Wut happened with the previous antidepressant? Pooped out?

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • RoseIsabella

    Damn! What was the problem with your previous antidepressant, and why did you have to quit taking it?

    I do also think you should play a song for your friend.
    https://youtu.be/v9F-mmdrcA4

    Comment Hidden ( show )