MichaelMars
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I have a friend who suffers from depression and schizophrenia. He refuses to take his prescriptions and self medicates with alcohol and weed. He is emotionally unstable at this point and I’m scared. I’m scared of losing one of my oldest friends to suicide, and scared I might have to defend myself from him. It’s hard for me to gauge what behaviors are him simply being over the top, and what behaviors are directly his illness affecting him. I try not to be to judgemental, but he knows he needs help and refuses to seek it. I don’t know what to do anymore.
anymarenn
Hi, if you want to talk with a somewhat English speaking Dutch therapists, I work in a Psychiatric hospital and I maybe have some answers.
polarbearbaby
I had this exact friend. Hung in there as long as I could, until the crazy became too much to deal with. You don’t need this kind of drama.
gingerlemonade
Don't give him a pass. Your friend should be working hard to meet social norms. If not, you should decide how much stress to you will allow.
dudewheresmytenmmsocket
There's a difference between "meeting social norms" and learning/working on better coping skills guided by therapy helped by meds
heyletsbefriends
GARY IS THAT YOU?
MichaelMars
Nope, it’s just Chuck Testa
Strangedays2026
Yeah you can't do anything for someone that doesn't want to do anything for themselves. Set up boundaries, and hold your ground.
SuperiorPebble
That's not self medication, that's substance abuse.
MichaelMars
I agree, but he refuses to acknowledge this.
teamshitshow
He probably doesn’t know either.
MichaelMars
Maybe, which is why I try to be patient. But I’m downright scared that I’ll end up in a “of mice and men” situation
MaybeIwasOutOfTown
Be there as long as you're not sacrificing your own mental health. Maybe when people start refusing to deal it, they'll get help.
MichaelMars
I wish I could. I’m in a bad spot right now. I live with his family until I can get a place of my own, but he has burned many bridges
MaybeIwasOutOfTown
Quite the predicament. It's hard to navigate. I'm sorry you're going through it.
invaderkendall
Say this to him.
MichaelMars
I will, but he doesn’t take criticism well, and he refuses to acknowledge that these issues affect people around him
Heavenissize17socks
It's time for either Intervention of Amputation time. He's going to drag you down with him. -don't- let him.