Problems With A Friend
So my best friend is suffering from anxiety/ depression and its gotten worse lately. He is having problems with an ex girlfriend and Ive been helping him to get through it. Im basically the only person he talks to. I love him like a brother but I feel like the relationship borders on toxic. He constantly belittles me and gives me anxiety just being around him sometimes. Recently he confessed that hes in love with me which gives me even more anxiety because a) Im not into him and b) hes done this before and it nearly ruined the relationship when I rejected him the last time. I told him I didnt have feelings for him and his reaction was to guilt me. Saying that he would put his negative feelings aside to still be friends, but the way he said it made me seem like a jerk and him the victim, even though just knowing he feels this way about me makes me uncomfortable because my nerves. I told him I need space, which he didnt take too well. Ive decided that I dont really want to be around him anymore because he constantly makes me feel bad, but when hes having problems he refuses to go to anyone else. I feel like if I dont always keep him from the edge hes going to do something to himself. But doing so is hurting me emotionally. I dont know what to do anymore.
@lillirocksalot
Welcome to the relationship community.
I appreciate your efforts to support your friend Rocks. I understand that you have just a friend feeling for him and want to support him through his hard phase while he has other thoughts which leading it to a toxic relationship; How about commrunicating with him clearly and encourage him to appraoch a therapist or counselor. Because you're just a friend and not a expert who can cure his mental health issue. You could only support him what you already doing. But for treating it, he would need to connect with a therapist or counselor who may help him better.
While you take care of your mental health too. It seems his behavior causing lot of stress and anxiety to you. Probably you may try to have a minimal contact and have your boundaries so that you could able to focus on yourself as well.
We're here with you to support. Sending you hugs <3