Concerned about a friend's mental health but should I not be concerned?
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
|
I have a friend of ten years, we were very close and it was a sister type of relationship. She started getting awkward about things after her wedding, she was supposed to be Maid of Honor in our friends wedding and Godmother at our child's baptism. She was a no-show on the day of both events and called apologizing literally about an hour after each. Both events were about a month apart and the decisions for Godparent and MOH were made months ahead of time. She had agreed to both of us and even attend our friend's rehearsal. Her reason was the same for both, that she felt too emotional to attend. Friend has since mended her relationship with her and they see each other more frequently. The times that I have seen her have been awkward, a few times she genuinely seemed to not recognize me. It is just really weird to me. We have been friends ten years, she had been friends even longer with our mutual friend, now she doesn't recognize me at times but other times she does. Another friend experienced the same with her not recognizing them or acting as if she did not know them.
This all happened in what seems like overnight. Does it sound like anxiety? Or depression? She attends other events and parties that our friend has hosted and her Facebook action seems to show that she is social and goes to events of her Facebook friends/family. |
Anonymous
| is she hot |
Anonymous
| Weird. Almost sounds more like a tumor or some type of dementia. I'm no expert but I don't think depression causes you not to recognize people. |
Anonymous
| You should definitely be concerned. Unless she has been like this her whole life (not showing up to things she committed to) I would think she definitely has a serious medical issue. Can you talk to any of her family? See if she is seeing a doctor? |
Anonymous
| I see addiction as a possibility. |
Anonymous
Completely agree. |
Anonymous
| Have you checked in with her to see how she is doing? |
Anonymous
| I have a friend who is a functioning alcoholic and she is like this. She will repeatedly introduce me to people that we have both known for years--It used to infuriate me but now I just see ut as some kind of aphasia...She'll eventual become fully demented just as her mother is and the rich fold of inherited wealth will protect her from reality. |
Anonymous
| OP here, I don't know any of her family members, she is from another state and all of her family except for her husband are there. When we do speak, she will either say "How are you? How is your husband?" Or she will ask about something random from ten years ago like "Do you still have those sandals? Or Do you remember when we saw XYZ at that grocery store?". But other times that I have run into her in the store, she will just stare blank faced when approached or stare and walk away. It is all very odd to me. Her husband seems normal though and will speak even if I see him out and about without her. |
Anonymous
| Early onset Alzheimers? I would express your concern for her well being and suggest a check up, even go with her to the appointment. |
Anonymous
OP here, do you know if it can start in early 30's? |
Anonymous
OP here, I never even thought of this, but how would I approach this situation? |
Anonymous
| Is the mutual friend close to her husband? I think one of you should speak with him. |
Anonymous
|
OP, the timeline in your story is confusing - how often do you see your friend? how recently did she blow off the wedding and baptism?
early onset A can happen at a young age, very rarely in 30s though. I think if you have a friend whose behavior is concerning you, you should talk to her about it - tell her precisely what you've seen that makes you worried for her. DO NOT try to offer her diagnoses unless you're a trained medical professional who has done a full assessment. The most likely explanation is probably something much more simple. I don't want to be rude, but is it possible she's just trying to ditch your friendship? |
Anonymous
| Can you talk to her husband ..Explain her concerns |