Odd dream about my friend?

Question

Well, first off, you have to know that I have a best friend who is bipolar. He has it really bad on top of other problems, and I'm the only one he talks to about it. I'm very, very protective over him.

So the dream is that I go to dinner at this mexican food restaurant that I love, but it's attached to my regular hair salon. While I'm eating with him, I know I have an appointment. His parents are kind of overbearing, which is reality, and I have a hard time clicking with them since I am the exact opposite. And then his dad gets really, really upset (He's bipolar too) and starts throwing things because of something my friend said. Him getting like that triggered me best friend to get upset. Except he just starts shaking violently and crying because he tries so hard not to lose it. And I remember hugging him real close while his mother just leaves and telling him that it's okay, that I love him.

After that, I walk over to get my hair done, which is my favorite thing to do to relax, and my mind is just not in it. I can't tell her what I want because I'm so worried about him. She tries to show me this new makeup that she saved for me that I usually love, but I couldn't make myself look at it let alone buy it.

My dream ends with me in the hair dresser's chair and him walking by my (leaving the restaurant) and looks at me with a really gloom face. And even though I had been looking forward to doing all the things I usually love to do for fun, I get up and follow him out.

What do you think that represents? It makes me sound shallow that I love getting my hair done so much that it surprises me how I acted in my dream, but it's something that just relaxes me and I plan appoinments months in advance and it's my ME time.

Answer 1

I think this dream might be saying that your friend's problems are overwhelming to you, to the point you lose interest in your own normal life due to worrying about him.

Are you ever in any danger while around him or his dad?

Pray for wisdom in this relationship.  I know you want to be supportive for him, but if you don't take care of you as well, you won't have much to offer him.  Make sure you are not sacrificiing the things you need to be doing at this stage of life due to your involvement with him.

If you feel you are in over your head, talk with your parents or another trusted, mature person about how to set your priorities and boundaries so you can continue to offer your friend support while not sacrificing your own joy and emotional stability  and your plans for your own future.

DON'T feel guilty for taking some time for yourself.  You have to, or you'll end up experiencing so much emotional trauma you won't be any good to him, or yourself.  

Don't hide anything scary from your own family, as you need to keep yourself accountable and protected while engaging in this "rescue relationship."  Remember, with a bi-polar friend you will never be able to help him achieve balance or normalcy.  Don't expect that you can be his savior, because you cannot.

Pray for him and be his friend.  

God bless you,

Fairelight