Asking for help is harder than I thought it would be | DadHQ

Asking for help is harder than I thought it would be

Dec 31 min read

Finally told my best friend from college that I've been struggling with depression. This guy and I have known each other 25 years. I was terrified to tell him but he was nothing but supportive. Which made me realize how much time I'd wasted worrying about judgment that never came. Now feeling weird about how to move forward with that knowledge but also lighter somehow? Vulnerability is weird.

10 comments71 views

Comments(10)

DDan W.RegularDec 3

Man this is hitting different. 25 years and you were still nervous. What made you finally decide to tell him?

MMike F.RegularDec 6

I'm curious—after you told him, did it change anything between you guys or did it just feel like relief on your end? Wondering if I'm overthinking what happens after the admission.

GGreg M.RegularDec 4

This. 25 years is a long time to carry something solo. Takes guts to crack that open with someone.

DDom F.RegularDec 4

This is so important. I told my brother last year and it literally changed our relationship—suddenly he gets why I'm not always "on" at family stuff. Did your friend change how he interacts with you now that he knows?

TTim K.RegularDec 5

I've been thinking about doing this with my college roommate for like 6 months. Kept chickening out. Your post just convinced me to send him a text. If he's worth his salt he'll get it.

MMarcus W.RegularDec 5

The fact that you were terrified even after knowing him that long says everything about how hard it is to admit this stuff. But yeah, good friends respond like that

DDex J.New DadDec 4

The relief after telling someone is real though. Like you can stop pretending for 5 seconds when you're with him now

CChris R.RegularDec 5

Man, I've been thinking about doing this for months. Genuinely nervous. How much did you tell him? Like the full picture or just the headline?

NNolan J.RegularDec 6

25 years is a long time to carry that alone. Glad he came through. Real ones show up like that

SSam T.New DadDec 6

The best friends are the ones who make you realize you were worried for nothing. Glad he showed up for you like that.