Friendships can be complicated, especially when mental health struggles are involved. It’s a delicate balance of being there for each other while also taking care of ourselves. ♀️ But what happens when that balance is thrown off and we feel like we’re being drained dry? That’s the dilemma our protagonist is facing with their 3 depressed friends who seem to have an endless need for attention and complaining, without ever reciprocating or showing interest in our protagonist’s own struggles. Let’s dive into this emotional rollercoaster of a story and see how it unfolds…
The Struggle is Real: Navigating Friendships & Mental Health

⏰ Hundreds of Hours, Zero Progress

️ The Emotional Drain is Real ⚡

♀️ What About Me? The One-Sided Friendship Dilemma ♂️

️ The Formality of Asking, Without Really Caring

Holding On to the Good Vibes

The Dying Plant Analogy

The Anger of Seeing Those “Check In On Me” Posts

The Ultimate Friend Dilemma: To Check In or Check Out?
Our protagonist is at their wit’s end with their 3 depressed friends who constantly post about needing people to “check in” on them, yet never seem to improve or care about anyone else’s struggles. Despite spending hundreds of hours listening to their endless negative complaining, our protagonist feels drained, depressed, and like a dying plant being squeezed for its last drops of water. The one-sided nature of these friendships has left them feeling angry and questioning whether they’re an a-hole for not wanting to give anymore attention to their friends’ depression. ♂️ It’s a tough situation with no easy answers, but let’s see what the internet has to say about this friend dilemma…
Friends’ mental health struggles draining you? You’re not their therapist.

Self-care is important. NTA. Your friends should be appreciative.

Self-care is important. NTA for setting boundaries with friends.

Protect your mental health, unfollow toxic friends

Depression is real, but when it starts impacting you…

Toxic friendships are draining. Think about your mental health first

Setting boundaries is important for mental health and well-being

Real friends listen and support each other, not just take.

It’s okay to prioritize your mental health NTA needs support too

Take care of yourself first It’s not your problem.

Boundaries are important. Offer to help them find a therapist.
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Encouraging seeking professional help for depressed friends without judgment
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Prioritizing self-care when supporting friends with depression

Dealing with ’emotional vampires’ draining you emotionally. NTA.

Prioritizing mental health is key! NTA

Prioritizing self-care in mental health field. NTA.

Take a mental health break and prioritize self-care

Cutting off toxic friends who don’t make effort. NTA

Setting boundaries with friends who drain your emotional energy

Cutting off selfish, negative friends for mental health. NTA

NTA. Distancing oneself from toxic friendships can be liberating.

Taking responsibility for own mental health. Unfriended black hole friend. NTA
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/dcaa78c4-2dd9-46b8-b344-f90f689e11cb.png)
Selfish friends draining you? You’re NTA for setting boundaries!

Prioritizing self-care is not selfish. NTA for setting boundaries.

Setting boundaries for mental health support is important ✔

Friends using mental health for attention, NTA for setting boundaries
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Cut off non-reciprocal relationships and defend your energy. NTA

Are they really your friends or just acquaintances?

Don’t let their depression make you their therapist. Take care!

Toxic friends draining your energy? NTA, ghost them and move on

Putting yourself first is not selfish. NTA.

Setting boundaries with selfish friends who expect too much

Setting boundaries with selfish friends is okay. NTA

Cutting out toxic ‘friends’ can be liberating

Supporting each other while struggling with mental health

Cutting off toxic friends for peace of mind
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/b4f6554b-0443-41a3-b5fc-91bdc8396f07.png)
Uninvite yourself from their pity parties NTA

Self-care is crucial. NTA prioritizing your own mental health

Setting boundaries with friends for mental health. Self-care matters.

Advice on setting boundaries and communication during depressive episodes

Prioritizing your mental health is not selfish.

Stepping away from negative friends for your own well-being.

Emotionally exhausting friends? NTA for prioritizing mental health

Mental illness is real and should be acknowledged. NTA.
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/51fe7d0f-0a08-46b9-b5b8-309fda649a9a.png)
Taking charge of our minds and lives is crucial. NTA

Put yourself first, ‘check-in’ quickly, and go for walks

Self-care comes first NTA for setting boundaries

Putting yourself first is important. MIL is draining
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/3991505b-96f1-4119-bec8-f27c9286ccbb.png)
Take care of your mental health first . Set boundaries with ‘friends’.
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/a106b4ea-cde5-4fd7-8225-07faa672afa0.png)
Cutting out toxic friends: NTA. Emotional vampires drain you

NTA. Friends with mental health issues should seek professional help

Mute selfish friends’ posts for a better mental health
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/e157b4e3-70e1-47ef-90eb-d33675db4727.png)
Take care of yourself first, don’t let attention seekers drain you

Put yourself first Don’t set yourself on fire to keep others warm.

Take care of yourself first. Encourage professional help for friends.

Managing depression is hard, but friends who drain you aren’t worth it.

Questioning the friendship and self-care. Time for a break?

Healthy friendships should feed you, not drain you.

Create boundaries and prioritize your mental health

Set boundaries and find friends who actually care about you. NTA

Setting boundaries to protect mental health is important

Toxic friends draining your energy? Cut them out. You deserve better.

Being a supportive friend doesn’t mean being a free therapist

Don’t set yourself on fire to keep others warm.

You’re NTA for setting boundaries and prioritizing your mental health

Caring for someone with depression is tough and exhausting.

Cutting out toxic friends is self-care

Don’t let your friends drain you. Self-care is important

Cutting off leech friends: NTA. Self-care is important

Cut toxic friends out of your life for better mental health

Being a good listener doesn’t mean being a free therapist

Don’t let emotional vampires drain your mental health.

Setting healthy boundaries with manipulative friends. NTA

Put yourself first . Toxic friends can be draining. Recover and recharge.

NTA. It’s tough to help someone in crisis without training

Prioritizing your mental health is important before helping others

Unselfish OP sets boundaries and deserves better
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/e4ad7871-3d95-4317-9b23-586c0e63095c.png)
True friends should lift you up, not drain your soul
