Helping a friend with depression and possible ADHD and disassociation
Hi! I wanted to ask for your advice for my friendship. I want to know how I may be a better friend to him and know what to expect and how I should act towards him, and which aspects I have to have an extended patience for. An example would be that I used to be upset when he wouldnt reply promptly but after knowing he has ADHD and disassociation I am doing my best to understand him and be patient.
Long story short, he is my ex, but we decided to remain friends because he said he wasn't ready. He said he wants to better himself. It is a bit hard to talk to him still because we still have feelings for each other but we agreed that being together was toxic and we need to sort ourselves out first. He told me that me staying his friend helps him out a lot compared to losing me altogether so I am doing my best to research.
He has diagnosed depression and goes to his therapist and his psychiatrist once a week. He also has a high chance of having ADHD and disassociation. He drinks medicine too.
I have read and researched about them but I would like to know firsthand how people who are going through the same as him are coping, how you want to be treated, what makes you feel better, and tell me more about your thoughts and thinking processes and the like, or those who are like me who have an experience in wanting to have a healthy relationship with someone who is having the same hardships as him.
Thank you!
@diplomaticWatermelon898 I think you're okay since the forum category is still relevant, you can contact a forum moderator to get the thread deleted but I wanted to respond in case my words could be of some help anyway...
As someone with ADHD and depression, I think your intentions are really admirable and it makes me happy to see how much you really care about him. You seem like a very loving person and he's really lucky to have you supporting him. If everyone cared about being considerate for their loved one's mental health as you do, the world would be a better place. One of the best ways you can try to be a good friend to him is putting energy into taking care of yourself too, making sure you can get your needs met and comfort yourself.
You're already on the right track by researching mental health and finding balance between space and communicating. At the end of the day, as much as you care for each other, his well being is his own responsibility and loving him means trusting him to do well for himself and believing in him to be capable of that. Some distance is natural and the friendship will become easier to navigate over time, I wish you the best. ❤