Tag: shared history

When A Friend Becomes A Frenemy

Published: December 20, 2011 | Last Updated: November 25, 2021 By | 6 Replies Continue Reading
When A Friend Becomes A Frenemy

Even when a friend becomes a frenemy, it can be hard to know when it’s time to let go because it invariably comes with some losses.

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Is a less-than-perfect friend better than no friend at all?

Published: June 27, 2011 | Last Updated: May 14, 2020 By | 17 Replies Continue Reading

It’s so easy to become attached to the idea of "having a best friend" that we ignore the reality of a flawed friendship.   QUESTION Dear Irene, There’s a girl who I thought was my best friend forever whom I’ve grown to dislike. I feel guilty for wanting to dump her, but I don’t know […]

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Different strokes: Can this friendship survive?

Published: July 9, 2010 | Last Updated: July 10, 2010 By | Reply Continue Reading

QUESTION Hi, I’ve had the same best friend for more than 20 years. We were so close that we even have matching tattoos. We don’t live near each other, but have maintained contact and been through school, marriage, kids, etc together. She’s been a huge part of my life.   Things started getting tough a […]

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It’s hard to say goodbye to a BFF, even if she’s a narcissist

Published: June 11, 2010 | Last Updated: June 11, 2010 By | Reply Continue Reading

QUESTION Dear Irene, I met my former BFF on the first day of college almost nine years ago. A year later, I went to a party she was throwing and met my now fiancé, who is great friends with her brothers. She was always a high maintenance friend; she was more concerned with having tons […]

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A breakdown of trust: When long-time friends fight over a guy

Published: February 8, 2010 | Last Updated: February 8, 2010 By | 1 Reply Continue Reading

QUESTION Dear Dr. Levine, For the past six to eight months I’ve had two friendships deteriorate. Jillian had been my friend for about 15 years. We never partied or saw much of each other due to distance and her ten-year relationship with a guy yet we always kept in touch. When her relationship was over, […]

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A ‘best friend’ who is always critical

Published: August 9, 2009 | Last Updated: August 9, 2009 By | 1 Reply Continue Reading

QUESTION Dear Irene, I am 24 and my best friend is the same age as well. We used to enjoy hanging out together but she acts like she doesn’t enjoy being around me anymore. She always says things like, "Why do you do this or that?" and "Grow up" or “Why did you….” I haven’t […]

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Downgrading a disappointing friendship

Published: May 17, 2009 | Last Updated: May 19, 2009 By | 4 Replies Continue Reading

QUESTION Hello, I have been struggling over this issue for so long and do not know what to do. I am 37 years old and have had a close friendship with a girl since second grade. Since then, we have been BFFs. After 7th grade I moved away, but we stayed connected and visited each […]

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Reader Q & A: Is my childhood friendship worth saving?

Published: October 22, 2008 | Last Updated: October 22, 2008 By | 4 Replies Continue Reading

QUESTION: Dear Irene: My best friend, well ex-best friend and I grew up as next door neighbors…destined to be best friends forever. We were those girls who were inseparable and would laugh at the most silly things no matter how silly we would look. After 19 years, we were still the best of friends and […]

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