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Friend has basically isolated herself from talking to any other friends & relatives except me. It's taking a toll on me to try to keep solving this problem by myself.

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I have a sibling with undiagnosed lifelong mental illness. He’s the most unhappy, discontent person I’ve ever known. You state your friend has been like this many years, that’s a good indication of her being very unlikely to change, except to perhaps worsen. My sibling has certainly worsened. I, along with many others, used to try to make things better, but we’ve all learned we cannot help or fix the problems, most especially as it’s so common for the mentally ill to believe that everyone else is the problem (hence the isolating) My advice, stop trying to solve your friend’s issues, and severely limit the time you spend listening to the issues. Protect your own wellbeing and limit your exposure. I’m sorry it can’t be better, sometimes that’s just true. I wish you peace
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I found myself in this situation (unfortunately a few times) and it's very difficult because you want to be a helpful friend but you can't bear the whole responsibility of their well being. I also found that if you can't keep being the strong supportive one 100 percent of the time, they turn on you. It appears that we are not supposed to have a life. Someone who totally isolates needs a kind sympathetic professional therapist to help them. She needs to keep trying until she clicks with the right one.
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Not your circus, not your monkeys!

There's a line between being a kind, helpful friend or an empath who takes all the pain into herself. You must be the latter. There's nothing wrong with that - until it starts affecting your mental health. Then, in the interest of self-preservation, you must back away.

Don't be so willing to listen whenever she feels like dumping on you. Do have other things to do that she isn't part of - such as, for example, joining an art club because you know she has no interest in joining one herself. Keep in mind that there are some things you just don't have the capacity to help. You're not a professional mental health counselor. Remind her of that, and offer to help her set up an appointment with one.

Good luck in your self-preservation campaign!
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This is not a problem you need to solve.
Her family, or her medical POA, needs to take charge of her care.
Is she in a dangerous situation? What exactly are you worried about, and trying to resolve? If she is not in immediate danger, you can leave her to isolate herself, and limit your phone calls and interactions. She has the right to stubbornly isolate herself at home, without family intervention. Perhaps you could share some specific examples of the behavior you are worried about and get advice on how you could intervene as a friend.

If she has dementia, or mental health issues which are compromising her ability to make sound decisions, you could call APS and have them check on her.

Realize your limitations. There is only so much you can do. You can't make this person do something they don't want to do. You can't make their family do what you think they should. It is not something you can solve.
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Is Dementia involved? If so, its up to her family to find her help. This woman probably should not be alone. You need to tell her family you can only do so much. She needs help that you can't give. Then start to step back. You don't have to answer every call or try to solve every problem. Legally you can't do much.
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Great advice here. You have a right to live your life. People like this can take over your life, and others will let this happen, often under the mistaken view that you are happy to do this. In my own situation, as a young widow, people assumed I somehow had more time and ability to help these people and that it would give my life 'purpose'. No. You cannot afford to let people suck your precious time and energy. It can become a bottomless pit.
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Sounds like she needs a social worker / some professional help.

I'd recommend you contact Adult Protective Services and ask them to do a visit to access the situation.

This friend may need to be in an AI or memory care facility.
Not so easy to do if nothing in the works or set up already.

If friend is legally responsible for herself, then there is little or nothing you can do (from my experience) besides asking APS to access.

You 'can't' change a person / their behavior when they are declining from dementia or 'serious' brain chemistry changes. You can only support them to get there services they need AND talk to friend's family.

This isn't something you should take on yourself 'to solve.' You are very limited as a friend. There are so many variables to consider (which you do not state).

If friend decides to isolate herself from friends and relatives, then that is her decision. As she lets you visit, arrange visit with APS. Certainly do not her they are coming.

In my experience, a person 'gets the help they need' when they fall, scream out for help or you happen to visit / be there and the person is taking to the emergency room. When they are hospitalized, they will be assessed. This is what happened to my client - and she was assessed to go into memory care. It was a 'blessing in disguise' that she fell and screamed and that neighbor(s) heard her.

I am interested to hear what others suggest.

Nice of you to be so concerned for your friend.
We all need a friend like YOU.

Gena / Touch Matters
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