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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Lifestyle
Eleanor Gordon-Smith

A friend I’ve known for 50 years has become a self-absorbed, petulant know-all. Should I cut off contact?

 Painting: Two Women Talking by Carl Bloch (1874).
‘Nothing kills a loving relationship faster than thinking that a person has exhausted their capacity to surprise you,’ writes Eleanor Gordon-Smith. Painting: Two Women Talking by Carl Bloch (1874). Illustration: Nivaagaards Malerisamling/Creative Commons

An old friend – we first met over 50 years ago – used to be kind, supportive and good company. But she has become a self-absorbed and petulant know-all. She is the centre of her own little world, and all her friends – me included – are expected to run around after her and cater to her needs.

She constantly brings up her health issues, disregarding the fact that other people in our friendship circle also have health worries. The label “narcissist” has been mentioned by some!

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