I'm sure that my friend (who lives cross-country) is dealing with un-diagnosed untreated mental illness. I'm 99% sure it's bipolar disorder, based on lots of information and evidence. I don't want this thread to be about diagnosing, but rather about how to help (I think we can agree that the steps I should take to help would be largely the same regardless of what he's grappling with, right?). [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jan 10, 2013 - 7 answers

Do people prone to depression and similar illnesses tend to (unwittingly?) form social groups together? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Apr 3, 2012 - 6 answers

A friend of mine is essentially using his girlfriend for a place to live. He really should break up with her, but that would mean moving back in with his family. He claims to care about her, but constantly expresses interest in other women, going so far as to say he'd leave her for any one of them, if one opened that door. The girlfriend is clingy, emotionally dependent on him, and completely lacking self-confidence. What do I do? [more inside]
posted by SugarAndSass on Jun 5, 2010 - 28 answers

What more can I do to help a very dear friend who suffers from bipolar disorder and is currently having a very difficult time, both as a result of his illness and due to outside factors? I am also bipolar, so I kind of know what he's going through. Lengthy but informative explanation of his circumstances and history follows. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Feb 22, 2010 - 6 answers

Every night that he comes home and winds up browsing the internet for hours, I feel like I'm going to scream. Am I a nagging worrywort, is my boyfriend mildly depressed, or both? And what's the best way to work on it? [more inside]
posted by brisquette on Nov 17, 2009 - 39 answers