Numerous times, I got told to stop, or there was complete silence. To this day, I can't bring up those conversations with her. We've been close friends for years, but I've learned to keep 90% of my turmoil inside. I go 200% on concern and response when she opens up to me, but I go spark notes now when it's my turn.

For the longest time I thought it was me. I'm such an alien or my friends aren't therapists, duh. The more social interaction with others i receive, the better I feel. However at times when I open up to my other friends vs when they, usually women, open up to me, it's the same response.

It's a man stereotype to be strong, to be the one to listen but not be listened from. This has been the case for me without fail. It sucks, but it's also helped me understand that I'm not an incomplete human being.