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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Am I being the unreasonable friend, or is she?

87 replies

Hobs · 11/04/2012 15:05

I don't know if I am being unreasonable or if she is, so I'd like your opinions

My friend has been off work for a few months now. She had an accident at work which has triggered some underlying conditions. She suffers with ME and is prone to the occasional flare-up, which she is currently experiencing. It does cause her to be exhausted a lot of the time, and often causes her to have aching muscles. I do know that she is suffering, but she is also able to do quite a lot - she still takes the dog for a short walk every day and she is able to drive short distances to the local shops, hairdressers and cafes when she wants / needs to. She gave me a huge pile of information about her condition a when it first started and demanded that I read it all, because there was no point in me seeing her so often and not understanding how she is affected.

I have spent a lot of time with this friend whilst she's been off work. We've met up at least once every week. It always seems to be on her terms. She will decide where we are meeting and when is convenient for her and will tell me, rather than ask, so texts will say things like "Tuesday is best for me. I'll see you at 11." I am expected to just agree. We used to meet out a lot, but she is no longer getting occupational sick leave, so does not want to spend money on eating/ having a cuppa out. Fair enough. I have no problem with accommodating that. However, she now insists that I go to visit her at her house, when she is available. Her husband runs his own business from home and is able to drive her out if needed. Her house is a 40 min walk from my house, I don't drive and it isn't on a bus route.

I had my DS 8.5 months ago. I had a difficult delivery. I have since been diagnosed with PTSD and postnatal depression. I also still suffer from pains in my various scarred places, and I am prone to days when I'd rather stick my head in the oven than leave the house. However, I have always made the effort to go to visit her because I know she needs the company, and I have only missed on a few occasions.

Recently, I've gotten more and more annoyed about it - the fact that everything is on her terms. If she cancels, then it's fine, but when I cancel, it's a different matter. I cancelled once a couple of weeks ago as DS hadn't slept all night, and neither had I, I was exhausted and in a lot of pain. I was having an awful day (one of my worst since starting on antidepressants) and I really wasn't fit for company. I was in full-on panic attack mode about leaving the house. I told her this and her response (in full) was "I'm disappointed about not seeing you, but I suppose you know best". On one occasion 2 or 3 weeks ago, I felt unable to take DS to her house as I didn't think I had the walk in me and he was ill, whiny and clingy. I asked if she could get her DH to bring her round, thinking DS would be better at home, and she replied "No. I don't want to go out today". She never asks how I am doing, or about DS, or anything really unless it suits her.

I was quite upset by this particular comment about her not wanting to go out, and after talking to HusbandHobs, decided to send her some information on PND and PTSD with and explanation that I hoped this information would be useful to her and help her understand where I was coming from etc. I thought it might highlight for her how I am feeling most of the time so that perhaps she would be more understanding when I don't feel up to visiting her.

So today, I have had a response saying she didn't think there was any point reading it as she "had enough on her plate with her own issues, thanks" and as it's all in my head anyway, the best way for her to help would be to carry on as normal so I would get over it quicker. I was a bit Shock. I like to think I've been very accommodating of her and her issues over the last few months. I make more of an effort to pull myself out of my black hole of doom to go to see her than I do for most other people, but it seems that she doesn't appreciate it, and is unwilling to ever return the favour for me.

I know that I am prone to being negative about things at the minute which is why I am here asking AIBU here or is she? I'd ask HusbandHobs, but he is too scared to disagree with me in case I go batshit-crazy on him Grin

OP posts:
LesAnimaux · 11/04/2012 15:11

Friendship is supposed to be a 2 way thing. I'm not sure what you are getting out of this friendship.

If she's not interested in understanding what you are going through, and isn't willing to support you, I think it's totally reasonable to not support her.

Thumbwitch · 11/04/2012 15:11

Err, I'm a little surprised you're asking, tbh but am assuming it's because you're not in the best state yourself - she's being COMPLETELY unreasonable! And selfish, selfcentred, etc. etc.

"all in your head"?? How very fucking DARE she!! I bet she's had that herself a few times with ME (used to be a common suggestion) so she'd know what a fucker of a thing that is to say to someone. Angry

Dump her and her bloody problems - she's been royally taking the piss, using you as a prop and now you need a bit back, she's not prepared to give it. I'm sorry she's ill but FFS!

Focus on your own health and your baby - tell her that her problems are too much for you to deal with at the moment and you have to concentrate on your own health, thanks.

CupOfBrownJoy · 11/04/2012 15:13

YANBU

Sometimes people are a bit of a pain in the ass, and sometimes so-called friends are all "take" and no "give". This applies equally to those with debilitating illnesses as those without.

Fair enough, your friend's condition affects what she is able to do as far as meeting up is concerned, but it sounds like you have been a good friend to her and more than taken this into account. Her ME is no barrier to her asking how you are occasionally or being supportive of you when you need it.

I think you would be well within your rights to cool off the friendship a little - is this what you are wanting to do?

Annpan88 · 11/04/2012 15:14

YANBU. I think you set a trend for making all the effort, making it the status quo. It sounds like she is very wrapped up in herself. Explain to her that you are unable to visit her every week as you have to take care of yourself and your son, but she is more than welcome to come to yours.

strawberrypenguin · 11/04/2012 15:14

Yanbu, sounds like you have given her a lot of support that she cba to return. Yes she has health problems but so do you, she sounds selfish and is not being much of a friend to you at the moment. Shock that she would tell you pnd and PTSD are all in your head, especially given that her own condition is so often talked down. Hope you start to feel better soon :)

hellhasnofurylikeahungrywoman · 11/04/2012 15:14

She's not giving an awful lot to your friendship is she? You sound like you need support right now and I don't see how she is even beginning to try to support you. The others are right, concentrate on yourself for a while.

bigjoeent · 11/04/2012 15:14

I don't really know anything about either of your problems so I can't comment on those but it doesn't sound as if she is being a good friend. I think your priority at the moment should be your health and your DS. Put yourself first and see people and do things that make you feel happier. Good luck and hang on in there. In summary YANBU, don't know if she is / isn't.

OutragedAtThePriceOfFreddos · 11/04/2012 15:17

HusbandHobs? That's a new one! Grin

YANBU at all. Your friend sounds quite selfish, maybe understandably so, but selfish all the same. You need to surround yourself with people that are going to make you feel better, because that is what's best for you and your ds. If she is taking away your energy (emotionally and on physically your good days) then you need to stop giving her so much of yourself, and use your energy on people that will support you and your ds.

Paiviaso · 11/04/2012 15:17

This woman is not a friend. To her, you are someone who will go to her house, keep her company when she's got nothing better to do, and listen as she moans about her problems.

She's made it clear she is not interested in reciprocating. I would just reply to her what you've told us, nothing lost, and there is maybe a teeny chance she will see how awful she is being...

But you probably wont see her again!

QOD · 11/04/2012 15:21

My SIL has ME. I do believe it in as a condition, but with my SIL we refer to it as "me me me" for pretty much the above reasons you've given!

If its not about her (me) it doesn't count.

I'd just continue with yr explanations and maybe try to broaden your horizons with other people with kids?

Pancakeflipper · 11/04/2012 15:22

People deal with illness in different ways. She seems to have absorbed herself into her particular situation and is not capable of dealing with anything out of her own position.

I'd be hurt. But I think it's time you step away for now. You have enough to cope with and you need happy supportive people not those who suck you dry and leave you with gritted teeth. I would say you are struggling/ busy and cannot support her at the moment ( don't give a explanation to why you are struggling cos' she won't listen properly to it) and will contact her in a few months time when things have settled for you.

Out of interest ... Does she have children? Did her behaviour get more erratic when you got pregnant?

ooer · 11/04/2012 15:22

Sorry to hear you're not feeling good, OP, and hope things get better for you soon.

Sounds to me like she is being unreasonable; I would not put up with it if it was my friend.

As an aside, do you always text each other? Some of it comes across as awfully terse and maybe offends more than a phone conversation would, when you can pick up better signals from the other person.

Good luck OP and hoping your health gets better.

Safire · 11/04/2012 15:26

YANBU. You have real needs yourself and should focus on getting those met, if for no other reason at least for your DS's sake. Let her see what it's like to have a friend not bother about her for a bit. x

maddening · 11/04/2012 15:37

yanbu - get rid as you don't need a friendship that makes you feel worse than you already do.

Maybe explain all this to her and let her have a chance to mend things if you're not ready to give up on the friendship?

madmouse · 11/04/2012 15:40

Sorry I'm confused. I thought she was your friend?

Dump her.

DinahMoHum · 11/04/2012 15:42

yadnbu

shes all take and no give

Idocrazythings · 11/04/2012 15:47

Wow! You walk 40min to see her! I don't think I'd even do that to visit my own mother! I bet she thinks she's doing you a favour by getting you out in the fresh air! what a rude "friend". YANBU

blubberyboo · 11/04/2012 15:48

reminds me of a phrase i used to hear at primary school
"she is a user"
think she only wants a friendship on her tems so she can offload her misery onto you .... she could be part of the reason you have depression
i would let this friendship drift by telling her your dc is ill every week for say.........3 months
does she bring any positives into your life

doctordwt · 11/04/2012 15:53

'All in your head'?!

Um, she isn't a friend, she's a self-centred person who is using you.

Friendship works both ways. That's how you spot it.

Wise up to this one, it won't get any better!

Longdistance · 11/04/2012 15:55

Ditch her, and find some better friends.
Does she actually leave the house? Maybe she's scared 2 go out?
Just thinking outside the box.

weblette · 11/04/2012 15:56

OP YANBU in the slightest. This woman really does not deserve the loyal friendship you've shown her. There are far nicer people out there.

bringbacksideburns · 11/04/2012 16:02

Text back
'Thanks for making the effort and reading the stuff i sent you. Like i made the effort to read the stuff you sent me, and like i always make the effort visiting continuously for you, despite my own health problems, which you dismiss, living miles away and not driving. See you around.

Then don't respond. She'll get the message. She really doesn't sound much like a friend at all, sorry.

ENormaSnob · 11/04/2012 16:03

Dump the selfish cow.

manicbmc · 11/04/2012 16:13

Thank her for being so concerned about your mental state and your health and tell her to bugger right off.

lazymonkeyface · 11/04/2012 16:19

bloody hell! Everyone agrees!
YANBU. She is

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