How do I break up with a friend when she's going through a rough spot already?

Question

I have a friend whose live-in boyfriend suddenly left her, and she now expects me to drop my whole life to hang out with her so she doesn't have to be alone. The problem is that I've been trying to ease myself out of the friendship gradually for some time now. When I have to spend time with her (mostly out of manipulation by guilt) she's so negative and depressing that she sucks the life out of me (shes kind of overbearing as well). It's so bad that the other people in my life even notice when I've been around her because it brings me down. I feel bad because her boyfriend just left her, but I have a feeling he might have left her for some of the same reasons... Help?

Answer 1

Quit "easing" out - and make the break.  At this point you need to save your own sanity - not hers.  Tell her that you have wanted to be there for her but that now you feel manipulated - and that her negativity is just bringing you down.  Maybe she will then realize why the boyfriend left.

Answer 2

Oh wow! I have a friend who just might be her!!!

This is what I did, I took my friend oto dinner and told her how I felt. I told her my impression of her and how her actions and personality were over bearing for me that it was making me second guess the relationship. I gave her a few tips and advise and shared some experiences and solutions, and I made it very clear that I was her friend not a shrink (what she really needed)

Good Luck