about what you are going thru. God, I do pray, He will you give you the strength to cope with all of this. I know depression; I still remember what seemed like climbing out of a dark hole and finally seeing light. I will pray this "light" will see you through all of this.
Know we care.
(Ger)

Maybe you should "blow up at her", but in a nice way. Have you tried just saying to her, what you posted here. Tell her that you understand that she is probably embarrassed at her attempt but you miss the person that was...this friendship is obviously important to both of you but remember that friends share what they are feeling and you resent feeling this anger at someone you care about. Tell her you want to help but it works both ways....talking about what we are feeling is so important.

Sadly, very sadly, sometimes people take a nose dive in an hour. It doesn't make sense to any of us, but it happens too often. She's not changed so drastically in a matter of days for no reason. Her change in personality is because her moods are unbalanced or something really horrible has happened to her that only she knows about. With correct counselling and support and treatment there is so much hope. The key to that is getting help right now, last week.

I'm not sure what type of "treatment" she's receiving, but I have this really intense dislike for hour long therapy sessions that some doctors dish out with no back-up/support.

I think they can be really dangerous in some situations. So your friend goes to her therapist for a brief time, and then leaves to go home where you are. You're her friend. You've always been her safe place.

After therapy, your friend may have more questions than answers running around in her head. She probably complains about it because it makes her feels worse. Hey, hour's up... time to go... see you next session/week. What an empty hole that is.

Just my thoughts...

mbrook there is a psychology theory called transactional analysis by Eric Berne

which is three ego states we all live in
Parent
Child
Adult

Parent

Physical - angry or impatient body-language and expressions, finger-pointing, patronising gestures,

Verbal - always, never, for once and for all, judgmental words, critical words, patronising language, posturing language.


Child

Physical - emotionally sad expressions, despair, temper tantrums, whining voice, rolling eyes, shrugging shoulders, teasing, delight, laughter, speaking behind hand, raising hand to speak, squirming and giggling.

Verbal - baby talk, I wish, I dunno, I want, I'm gonna, I don't care, oh no, not again, things never go right for me, worst day of my life, bigger, biggest, best, many superlatives, words to impress.

Adult

Physical - attentive, interested, straight-forward, tilted head, non-threatening and non-threatened.

Verbal - why, what, how, who, where and when, how much, in what way, comparative expressions, reasoned statements, true, false, probably, possibly, I think, I realise, I see, I believe, in my opinion.

we should all strive to form relationships whereby we are al ADULT-ADULT

When we have relationships like PARENT-CHILD well the obvious happens [not equal]
one adult ats exactly like a child....whinging moaning etc.....the other scornful and seeking retribution for insipid behaviour

adult-adult..................say............GOD I HAVE HIT A BRICK WALL........................THE OTHER WOULD SAY............LET ME HELP YOU GET OVER IT.


David