Is It Pointless to Talk to Friends About Problems?​

Last weekend, I caught up with a friend I hadn’t seen in a while. I asked how he was doing and if he had any close friends to confide in. Surprisingly, he said talking to friends about problems is pointless. He has “functional” friends—people he shares activities with—but no close friends. He prefers to talk to a therapist when he needs to unload. He believes discussing his issues with friends would only burden them. I couldn’t disagree more. I feel such connections are vital. I “need” close friends for emotional support and exchanging ideas. Plus, therapists aren’t available for a spontaneous chat at, say, 7 PM on a Wednesday evening. How about you? Do you think talking to friends about problems is beneficial, or do you prefer other avenues? #Friendship #MentalHealth #Therapy #EmotionalSupport #CloseFriendships