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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Getting annoyed by friend not being resiliency

69 replies

Heneryhoover · 22/10/2024 09:41

Okay I’m going to start by agreeing I am unreasonable but i need to rant.
I have gone through my fair share of sad times in life think SA from 3-14, ran away then sold by another man then abusive relationship a child who nearly died at birth moved to safe houses and currently tempary housing. now I’m nearly 30 and also dying this time I got a degree and I believe I would be described as happy easy going …

my friends many late 20s come to me crying a lot almost always with suicidal ideology due to small reasons such as a breakup or argument with partner. Many of my friends have lived “normal” lives obviously weigh some issues but nothing long lasting many being in good jobs and have good family support.

now I am starting to get annoyed with the way many of my friends will expect me to sit on the phone for hours at night talking them out of suicide because their man has liked a girks picture on instagram or their ex is out in town and they have seen through socials.

i was the biggest believer in you can’t compare truma but I’m starting to think how are they functioning adults when the smallest thing seems to set them off. Also this isn’t just 1 or 2 of my friends I have had this with maybe 10+ friends this last year male and female and I’m starting to think why are people so non resilient. I think I may get triggered as after my son was born I jumped out of a window when I was struggling with postpartum psychosis and I wasn’t texting or ringing friends but due to the worry I wouldn’t have helped and they have killed themselves I have lost so many nights sleep trying to help friends.

has anyone else experienced this and how do I fix my compassion because I am starting to find it more annoying then I have empathy for at this point.

OP posts:
cocoloco23 · 22/10/2024 10:26

Itsmahoneybaloney · 22/10/2024 09:56

Your dying and did a degree? That bit is confusing.

You need to realise everyday people haven't been through anything like you have so to them a break up for example is the worst thing they've ever experienced- if you can't accept that and support them anyway then you need to be prepared to lose friends and maybe find some who can be 'fair weather' friends only so they won't talk to you about their bad times.

That bit confused me too. I re-read and I thin ‘dying’ is a mistype of ‘during’.

OP, I just wanted to say that you sound like you’ve been through a hell of a lot. You deserve your life now to be calm and as free of stress as possible. Make that the priority. Wishing you all the best x

LoremIpsumCici · 22/10/2024 10:27

YANBU to feel the way you do. It is true people have differing levels of resiliency and those who have had a sheltered life often are knocked for six by what are objectively relatively minor events.

It is testament to how good a person you are that you have been helping your friends as much as you can despite going through your own crises.

has anyone else experienced this and how do I fix my compassion because I am starting to find it more annoying then I have empathy for at this point.

But this says to me that you have reached compassion fatigue, that your energy to help others is at zero or even in the negatives. You have given out compassion faster than it can rebuild. The only way to fix this is to reduce who you are helping and start signposting. A friend who wants to talk for hours about their man liking another girl on Instagram- you can commiserate for a few minutes and then suggest they contact Samaritans or another helpline or even 111 to speak to a mental health nurse. You are being too hard on yourself, you can’t be expected to save others who are drowning when you are barely keeping your head above water. And yes you are in the deep end and they are drowning in the shallow end- both result in drowning. Don’t feel like you need to be the one to rescue them- keep a list of charities, help lines and so on that you can signpost friends to after an initial listen and commiserate conversation.

Demonhunter · 22/10/2024 10:31

Itsmahoneybaloney · 22/10/2024 09:56

Your dying and did a degree? That bit is confusing.

You need to realise everyday people haven't been through anything like you have so to them a break up for example is the worst thing they've ever experienced- if you can't accept that and support them anyway then you need to be prepared to lose friends and maybe find some who can be 'fair weather' friends only so they won't talk to you about their bad times.

I think it maybe autocorrected from "during this time"

FreedomDogs · 22/10/2024 10:42

To be honest OP you sound a bit resentful that they've had easier (as you perceive it) lives than you, or perhaps because you felt no one was there to listen to you when you needed it. Which is perfectly understandable but not very healthy, and it's certainly not your friends' fault for "lacking resiliency", ultimately you can always find someone who's had a worse time than you but that doesn't mean your problems don't matter or your feelings aren't valid. The problem here as others have said is you've found yourself in the position of being their unwilling sounding board and you need to make yourself less available

I had a cancer diagnosis a few years ago and after this I told myself I would never find reason to stress or complain about lesser problems again, but this is a resolution I quickly dropped. Partly because aspects of day to day life - work issues, relationships etc - are legitimately stressful sometimes and knowing others or even yourself have had it worse before doesn't actually cancel that out - and partly because it isn't healthy to bottle up stresses, it doesn't actually help you to stiff upper lip your way through everything, and actually the real lesson I've learned about my difficult experience is to be more open about my feelings and accordingly more aware of other people's. That doesn't mean you have to act as your friends' personal therapist if you're not able to do so but comparing trauma comes from a place of resentment not of resilience.

SmileyHappyPeopleInTheSun · 22/10/2024 10:43

I haven't experience anywhere near your level of trauma.

However when kids were young we had no support - and DH was often away or long hours/long commute and I used to have other mothers moan at me despite knowing our situation - one going on she had to put her two to bed by herself one evening a week - did 3 every week night -or that DGP wouldn't have kids so they could go out - I couldn't get help for medical stuff. I used to be sympathetic while veering between irritated, amused and bemused.

Then my DH was seriously hurt - and no-one was there no even at end of a phone to offer emotional support. When it went quiet they came back with big CF demands and minor moans - and I realised they really didn't care about us - I was just a warm body to moan to.

I don't know if you've reached compassion fatigue or just waking up to fact these people just want to moan to someone and you are merely a useful ear.

If you want to stay in touch - change the subject when it starts - point out you've offered advice they've ignore and move subject on or be busy and leave call or be blunt and point out they are part of the problem - nicely and see if it goes in. Upshot is you don't have to sit and listen - you are are not their therapist. Chances are they'll get the message and stop eventually and you'll get back to better balance in friendship or realise they just don't care about you and aren't worth bothering with.

CappuccinoChocolate · 22/10/2024 10:46

I get it - I think social media has A LOT to answer for and that might possibly be the link with age.

Notwithstanding the obsession with appearance and beauty standards, there are now endless advice givers on mental health, neurodivergency etc

It's dangerous.

Dyslexiateacherpost88 · 22/10/2024 10:46

I think sometimes if you're compassionate, you attract people with issues? I uses to be like this. I actually got referred to compassion-focussed therapy. Actually taught me to be compassionate to myself first. It basically taught me to say no and not reply quickly or help others too much. I'm now surrounded by far more fun and resilient friends and say no to family often. :-)

SquirrelSoShiny · 22/10/2024 10:55

YANBU. I really hear you on the overuse of the trauma thing. The main thing now is to take the very good advice on this thread and really tell yourself that you are not their trauma bin to be dumped in.

dollyop · 22/10/2024 11:04

I get it and don't think you're being unreasonable.

I've had a bad family situation for years and it's had a real impact on me. But I stay cheerful and grateful for the things that are good in my life. I do get annoyed with people who can't cope with minor things, or can't see how they're creating their own problems.

OP, you have been through a hell of a lot and you've still found the strength and pure life force to stay smiling. You deserve friends that share your energy and I really hope you find them. Do you know anyone who's more like this? I'd be trying to nurture friendships with those people.

GinnyPiggie · 22/10/2024 11:11

I've suffered quite a bit of trauma myself and I think it does make you a bit 'brittle' because you've had to be resilient/boundaried to survive. So I am not always as sympathetic to my friends as I probably should be.

Your friends do sound particularly terrible though. YANBU.

FuzzyGoblin · 22/10/2024 11:14

I think you need to take some time to work on yourself.

Everything is comparative. Some people haven’t had the trauma you have but you haven’t had the trauma others have had. It doesn’t make anyone’s feelings any less valid.

1983Louise · 22/10/2024 11:14

I agree with you, I've often thought reading some of the posts on here, what on earth are you going to do when the shit really hits the fan. I don't know if it's an age thing but the amount of times someone goes to pieces because they can't say no to a friend or decide to go NC because of the slightest disagreement. I don't know if resilience can be taught but it's definitely needed for future generations.

TheCatterall · 22/10/2024 11:14

@Heneryhoover massive hugs and well done on overcoming earlier challenges and turning your life around.

As others have stated I would suggest looking at the people you are letting into your life and assessing what’s going on that your boundaries are being so crossed. .

SlightlyJaded · 22/10/2024 11:22

I'm sorry you've had such a difficult life OP. As others have said, it can make you brittle - you build up a protective armour over the years and it's not easy to let your guard down and be 'soft' on demand. My life has not been anything as hard as yours but I would still probably consider myself more 'damaged' than many of my friends and I can find myself unsympathetic to their tiny (in my mind) reasons for being 'distraught'. I agree that there is a lack of resilience in society these days.

I have to say that it's not usual to have so many friends with suicidal ideation as part of their regular conversation. I am wondering if these are people you have met through therapy or treatment? Not because dark moments / depression / suicidal thoughts can happen to anyone, but just the sheer number of people you mention - 10 plus...

Perhaps try to find a couple of other friends to add some balance to your life. Friends serve different needs - I have a couple of friends that I probably wouldn't tell my deepest secrets to, but they are good fun and kind. I have other friends who I share my worries with and they are trustworthy and have empathy. I have friends I would want to go for drinks with and friends I could and couldn't go on holiday with - you get what I mean. It might be good to find a few who are settled and grounded and you can just enjoy some lighter time with.

Equally, you have set yourself up as the 'go to' for trauma and drama. It's okay to say to people "You know I care for you but I cannot actually be responsible for this level of trauma. I am dealing with a lot myself and can't take this on - here are some numbers that might be helpful."

Set some boundaries - be kind, but don't give more than you are happy to.

And congratulations on your degree - that's some accomplishment given all that you've been through.

6pence · 22/10/2024 11:23

Saying this kindly, but from what I’ve seen, damaged people tend to attract damaged people. But it’s not always a healthy dynamic.

I think you need to be honest and say that it’s all rather triggering for you and then signpost them to other places eg, Samaritans, other friends etc. You can’t take on the responsibility of healing others as well as yourself. Tell them that too.

And don’t feel guilty.

Timeheals · 22/10/2024 11:25

I think to a degree resilience is something that is learned - usually as you grow up via struggles (not as extreme as yours - I’m thinking financial instability, sickness in the family and deaths of older loved ones). Your experiences are so extreme that it is amazing you have the resilience you do and didn’t go the other way. Many younger people haven’t experienced these struggles as they have been sheltered and so haven’t developed resilience. I think it’s also likely you attract people with low resilience because you connect with them (maybe as a protector, maybe because you envy that they have a naivety that you never got to experience?).

6pence · 22/10/2024 11:27

And also when people don’t have large traumas to deal with, they sweat the small stuff.
But please don’t take on the responsibility for healing this.

PaminaMozart · 22/10/2024 11:30

Unfortunately a lot of people do lack resilience, but there is no need to get so wrapped up in their dramas. Learn about boundaries, take a huge step back if necessary and reconsider some of these friendships if they are taking too much out of you.

custardcreamsies · 22/10/2024 11:33

I’ve been through similar trauma to you and I used to find it quite difficult if a friend complained about their small issues, but then I realised that was on me. Now I’m happy that such small issues are big deals for them as it means they haven’t gone through such hard times and I wouldn’t want that for anyone. However you do have to protect yourself, and even though I’d always want to be there for a friend who was struggling you have every right to take a step back if it’s too much for you.

NameChangeUser183794639 · 22/10/2024 11:38

As a SA 'survivor' fucking hate that term - who then experienced sexual assault, teen homelessness, unsupported pregnancy, as well as a host of other things along with just recently the death of someone who suffered extreme pain for many months before during which I had to care for them. I find your post quite upsetting.

Why are they not as resilient you ask?

Well I am not resilient. Never have been and my body isn't working as it should do anymore from the trauma. I can't manage life at the same pace you currently are or at the same pace most people do. Kudus to you, I respect it. But please appreciate that everyone is different. You should know more than anyone else that flesh comes in all forms; some diamond, some clay, some stone, some obsidian. Some women have been through what you have and are dead now. Others are addicts. Were they simply 'not resilient?'

my friends many late 20s come to me crying a lot almost always with suicidal ideology due to small reasons such as a breakup or argument with partner. Many of my friends have lived “normal” lives obviously weigh some issues but nothing long lasting many being in good jobs and have good family support.

now I am starting to get annoyed with the way many of my friends will expect me to sit on the phone for hours at night talking them out of suicide because their man has liked a girks picture on instagram or their ex is out in town and they have seen through socials.

I do find your lack of understanding that loss or low self-esteem is the probable underlying trigger to a partner leaving or showing preference to other women surprising. Those are hugely upsetting events to some people. I'm surprised at your seeming dismissal of this.

By all means distance yourself, I do get that it's annoying past a point, when people are talking about seeming trivia, but you still ought to have some compassion because people can appear to be well and still find loss or so-called ordinary life struggles difficult. Life experience should tell you that coming from a perceived 'great home' isn't always a negating factor for mental illness or emotional instability.

For a different perspective: I went to uni too (as an adult). But I actually found the 'normality grumps' of the young people surprisingly triggering, as it was a painful reminder of what my life should have been at the same age they were. I actually found their inane chatter painfully intriguing; that's what I should have been, working towards my dreams and having a melt down because my boyfriend hasn't texted me back about my birthday plans. Or moaning that my breasts aren't as big as I want them to be. Or bitching about that girl thinks she's something special in the group project,when we all know she's full of shit. My god the things I was dealing with at that age I had no room for that crap. No room for normality growth. I mourned never going through this phase. But I also appreciated that's it a growing thing. These people are growing and will arrive at wisdom later than I have and that's fine.

Two things. I don't think you've fully resolved your trauma and frankly being much older than you, I tend to think it just randomly crops up and a trigger event is a clue that something hasn't been dealt with.

Past prolonged trauma means our ability to take on other peoples emotional load is actually less, but it feels like more, because you're so used to having to have such large capacity for life stress. And you gravitate towards it. It's misleading. The opposite is true. Don't make friends on instinct or out of caring.

If you're anything like me, having been through what you've been through, you can't be comfortable hanging around for long with the super well-adjusted either who can be lovely, but will randomly say the most dismissive, clueless shit, because they've never suffered anything in life. That irritates no end. So you need friends who are in- between.

Not too much work. Not too needy. But have life experience. Can accept when you need space and aren't territorial in their friendships. Find those people. And make yourself less available.

harmfulsweeties · 22/10/2024 11:43

Naunet · 22/10/2024 10:01

No I’m sorry, it does, there is no comparison between an arguement with a boyfriend and being sexually abused from the age of 3. They are worlds apart and to suggest the pain is just as bad, minimises the huge impact of child abuse.

Edited

No one is comparing the two, though, are they?

No one is saying the pain is just as bad-because obviously it isn't-but does because someone has suffered more negate others suffering or troubles?

fruitbrewhaha · 22/10/2024 11:43

Blimey, do these friends know your background? I think if I was struggling I would find someone else to lean on. Or perhaps they think you’re so strong and able to help?

harmfulsweeties · 22/10/2024 12:11

You're not wrong to distance yourself if you find that it's too much and you need to set up a boundary. Be less available for their calls. Cut them a little short. If they say they're suicidal-please direct them to the relevant places for support.

However, I think you're looking at this through a faulty framework. You have been through some horrific stuff and it's easy to think "why are they reacting like this to what feels like nothing to me when I've got through much worse?" but you're looking at it through your own point of reference and not theirs.

I think if you continue to look at things through this framework you will struggle to build any meaningful relationships/connections as you'll be constantly comparing their struggles with your own and deciding that they're simply not as resilient as you. Or their issues aren't as worthy of sympathy as yours.

There's nothing wrong with applying a bit of distance and laying down some solid boundaries. That would be a healthy thing. It's also sometimes healthy to remember that suffering is not pie. Just because you've suffered a great deal doesn't negate someone else's suffering or issues.

If that's the case-then no one should be allowed to complain or moan about anything because someone will always have had it much worse.

Naunet · 22/10/2024 12:11

harmfulsweeties · 22/10/2024 11:43

No one is comparing the two, though, are they?

No one is saying the pain is just as bad-because obviously it isn't-but does because someone has suffered more negate others suffering or troubles?

I would suggest the person I was replying to was doing exactly that by way of the metaphor they used.

Of course it doesn’t negate others suffering, as I’ve already said, but that doesn’t mean threatening suicide over an ex being in the same town for a weekend is reasonable either.

Youcantcallacatspider · 22/10/2024 12:16

OP it's kindof a moot point comparing your trauma to your friend's. If your friend is suicidal then their feelings are 100% valid whether it's because they suffered a childhood of pure torture or they just broke a fingernail. However either way repeatedly telling a friend that you're going to harm yourself isn't a healthy way to manage these feelings. She needs to engage with professional support every....single....time. Tell her that you are her friend not a professional and that if she's feeling suicidal she needs to engage with the professional support available to help with this. Samaritans, local crisis team, counselling services. If needed I would call her bluff and contact ambulance or crisis team for her.

The problem with suicidal behaviour is that there is a really fine line between preventing it and enabling it. Professional services get seen as 'doing nothing' but this is because often anything that you do to safeguard somebody often makes them feel safer to engage in the risk taking behaviour even more...to a point that they can become totally insitutionalised.

You and your friends need to accept that 1)self harm is ultimately a personal choice 2) ultimately if somebody is making the choice to partake in risk taking behaviour then nothing you do can fully eliminate that risk and 3) all of the above is a professional matter not the responsibility of a friend.

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