In my youthful exuberance for entertainment, I had ditched study plans with my high school friend while we were in college to go play video games with some of my new college friends.  After this event, I lost my high school friends
I think it's making me relive bad memories and experiences.
Don't force me to rate the advice every other turn.
It was interesting
Hello!
assistant
Others
Hi
user
null
How are you doing today? Are there any particular issues you would like to discuss?
assistant
Others
I think you are able to read about my situation, but if not, I've basically lost my best high school friends while in college. It's pretty rough since I've known these people since I was in elementary school.
user
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I'm sorry to hear that. Did that make college difficult for you?
assistant
Question
It did - I had to figure out what was important in life after that but the loss of my high school friends drove me into a mild depression.
user
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Of course. Do you still experience feelings of sadness when thinking of that time in your life?
assistant
Question
Occasionally when I think about that time in my life.
user
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Does that loss still affect your day-to-day life or do you feel like you were able to handle those feelings in a healthy way?
assistant
Question
I am still feeling the effects of it today. I don't know exactly how to cope properly.
user
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It sounds like you're still struggling with that loss. That is entirely normal.
assistant
Reflection of feelings
That's great that it's normal....but I'm not sure how that's helping me.
user
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It sounds like you're looking for a way to handle these feelings in a healthy way. Am i right in that?
assistant
Restatement or Paraphrasing
I guess so. I'm not sure where to start or even if I need do. to
user
null,null
That makes sense. Some feelings of sadness around a loss are normal but they can be a problem if they start interfering with functioning. Do you have a support network or someone you can turn to when you feel like this?
assistant
Others
I have a spouse but they weren't around when this series of unfortunate events occurred.
user
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Do you feel like you talk to your spouse about these issues?
assistant
Question
No, it's something I keep inside. I'm a super private person.
user
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From what I have seen, if people try to keep their emotions inside, it can be more damaging in the long run. This isn't something you have handle all by yourself.
assistant
Information
Agreed, I guess. Maybe it's time to share more with my spouse. I don't think it's that big an issue. I just don't like talking about it.
user
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That's completely fair. It can be a difficult thing to talk about. When those feelings do come up, can you think of ways to discuss it with your spouse?
assistant
Providing Suggestions
I think so. I'm thinking we can do it over dinner one night while it's quiet in the house so we can talk
user
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I think that's a wonderful idea. From what I've seen, it can be really difficult to talk about, but afterwards it does get easier. You deserve the chance to remember the good memories of your friendship and not carry your difficult feelings by yourself.
assistant
Affirmation and Reassurance
I guess thats true - thanks for chatting with me about this.
user
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