Venting How to cope with absent friends?

[rottenandabused]

This is my first post in the entire site, so I apologize if I'm doing things wrong.

I'm bipolar, or manic-depressive in other words. I was off my meds for two weeks in November, so eventually I got depressed and had CTB ideation.
The thing is, my friends don't seem to notice at all (even though I allowed myself show warning signs for someone to reach out to me). I'm no longer interested in what made me happy, I stopped going to school and when I actually did go, I never really talked unless I was spoken to.

I decided to change onto virtual classes so I don't feel like 'that' kid in every classroom; but none my of friends have reached out to me at all.

I'm in need of advice here. I don't know if I should take the first step myself and talk to them, or if I should take this as what it is: maybe I just can't count on my friends for this depressive episode.

 

[Life_and_Death]

its hard to say for sure.
there are some people that honestly arent real friends, but sometimes they just dont know how to react, they might be really bad at noticing or dealing with their own things.
you would know them best. if you would feel they fall into the latter options, it might not hurt to take the first step. "hey, i know we typically dont talk about serious stuff but i really need to discuss something with you. i havent been feeling ok lately" (just an example of course).

and i also think it might be helpful to know what youre looking for first, especially if its because they dont know how to handle it. "im not asking for much, i just need a soundboard. someone to vent to, to be there so i dont feel so alone"

 

[Monad]

I try to put myself in the shoes of my friends when situations like these arise for me.

I am already a "withdrawn" person, so me not responding to texts, not wanting to go out or hang out, withdrawing from social situations, and overall just wanting to rot in my room are all "normal" for me. My friends might reach out, or they might think it's just me being me.

All that to say, it depends what your friends think is baseline for you, assuming they are actually good friends to you. You obviously know them best. If you believe they are your true friends, then maybe they just don't notice or your behaviors don't raise red flags to them.

I suggest you take the first step and reach out to them if they haven't reached out to you. Talk to them, let them know whats going on. Ask for help, ask for advice. Friends are great, they give you realistic perspectives without the harshness you get when you talk to yourself about things.

Also remember: If they don't know what to say, don't pressure them. I have a few friends that don't struggle with any mental illness, and while I like to get some perspective from them, they just can't relate and it makes it hard for them to sympathize with me at times.

Good luck out there, and feel better.