Can You Be a Good Friend While Struggling? Boundaries, self-care & healing trauma

Are you struggling to support a friend's mental health crisis while battling your own? This essential episode of Ask Kati Anything dives deep into setting healthy boundaries in tough friendships, tackling the crucial question of how to protect your peace without guilt. We also explore the often-misunderstood journey of relapse and recovery, the profound search for meaning when life feels empty due to depression, and offer vital insights into eating disorders at different life stages, from early struggles to fears about pregnancy and being a role model. Plus, discover whether day-to-day anxiety truly serves a purpose, how to navigate a forgetful therapist, and the emotional impact of chronic illness and bullying. My new book is available for pre-order: Why Do I Keep Doing This? → https://geni.us/XoyLSQ If you’ve ever felt stuck, this book is for you. I’d be so grateful for your support. Episode Timestamps: 00:44 - q1 What to do when supporting a struggling friend begins to trigger your own pain. 08:31 - q2 Could you talk about best practices for staying out of the hospital and about the stigma around relapse and recovery? 17:00 - q3 How can any meaning in life be found when it takes action to find meaning? 21:59 - q4 I'm almost 28 years old and have been struggling with anorexia for six years and eating disorder behaviors for more than half my life. 29:26 - q5 I was wondering if I have an eating disorder. 33:51 - q6 Does day-to-day anxiety actually serve a purpose like other emotions? 38:16 - q7 Can you please talk about therapy and how to handle a forgetful therapist? 42:47 - q8 Could you cover the correlation of chronic illnesses or chronic pain like a leg disability... and mental health issues? Ask Kati Anything ep. 283 | your weekly mental health podcast hosted by licensed marriage and family therapist Kati Morton, where she answers your most pressing mental health questions with compassion, expertise, and actionable advice. Support Our Show by Checking Out Our Sponsors We're able to bring you these important conversations thanks to the support of our incredible sponsors. Please take a moment to visit them and learn more about what they offer! BetterHelp - Our listeners get 10% off their first month at https://www.betterhelp.com/katipod October 10th is World Mental Health Day, and BetterHelp is celebrating the therapists who make healing possible. If you're ready to find the right therapist for you, BetterHelp can help you start that journey. Blissy - as a listener, receive your 60 nights risk-free plus an additional 30% off when you shop at https://blissy.com/askkatipod and use code askkatipod MY BOOKS Traumatized https://geni.us/Bfak0j Are u ok? https://geni.us/sva4iUY PARTNERSHIPS Nick Freeman | nick@biglittlemedia.co DISCLAIMER The information provided in this video is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical or mental health advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problem or disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment. Viewing this content does not establish a therapist-client relationship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices