Hi Pam, what comes to mind is compassion fatigue. It’s hard to listen to friends on the same topic because they may be, in fact, dumping on you. And we do not have the resources to fully listen.
It reaches a point that we have to set boundaries for our own mental health and say a therapist is better suited to listen. I am learning to say No to being that sounding board. It’s affecting my own well-being.
Anxiety has sky-rocketed with Covid, the trauma of which has triggered and affected so many people.
When one can no longer cope day to day, it is best to seek professional help. And severe anxiety is a trauma no one would ever choose for themselves.