Connect with people who understand what you are going through, seek advice and surround yourself with support. We're free, anonymous, and professionally moderated 24/7.
merdasdasdContributor
Does anyone else feel like a “filler friend”? Like you just sit there, never contributing to the conversation, and when you do, no one notices. You don’t really have a purpose or do anything and kinda just sit there existing. No one ever invites you ever or asks to do anything with you, and people even make group plans right in front of you and neglect your presence. It’s not that anyone means for this to happen it kinda just does?
In response to: Feel like a filler friend
merdasdasdContributor
In a sense, you are kind of like a last resort to someone because everyone is busy?
In response to: Feel like a filler friend
Unknown userMember
In response to: Re: Feel like a filler friend
AppleblossomSenior Contributor
Yes, for a long time I felt "invisible" and was often a third wheel.
Maybe there was a sense of desperation written on my face that I was unaware of ... I am learning not to put myself repeatedly in a submissive positions and allowing myself to be used by others. It can be depressing and triggering but with enough hindsight I realise they werent really my friends anyway. Solitude is more healthy than being in unbalanced relationships. I am learning to call people out ... respectfully and according to all the literature .. but few people like it.
However a couple of people have responded ethically ... so I am still in those groups ...
In response to: Feel like a filler friend
Melbourne63Casual Contributor
seem to be invisible, until somebody wants something from me. Yet when I mention how I feel or I need to talk, even my partner, are tired of hearing about my depression and they get angry when I talk about what is concerning me.
Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
SANE values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.
Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
SANE values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.
You’ll soon be able to use one secure login to access all SANE services.
For added security, members are now required to log in with their email address and password - member names are no longer supported for logging in.
If you had a Forums account before 19 May 2026 and haven’t set up your new login yet, you'll be prompted to set up your new secure login when you sign-in.
Fields marked * are required
