theres a name for people like her, i just cant remember it!
the only possible way is to tell her, nicely of course. tell her "u know wat all WE seem to talk about are negative things, lets try to become more positive and only talk about fun and happy things." involve urself, like "we talk about" that way she shouldnt feel so offended
good luck

She sounds like a hypochondriac. That is, provided that she's not blatantly doing this for attention and sympathy. If she isn't just acting, then you need to encourage her to get help. And if she is acting, umm you still should encourage her to get help because it's dangerous for her to be injuring herself like that for attention. There would be a mental issue that she needs medication for or talk therapy. And besides from encouraging her to get help, don't say anything about health issues and whenever your friend brings it up, change the subject.

Ugh, I'm annoyed just by reading about it. Stop encouraging her. Anytime she talks abotu a new sickness change the topic and make it clear you're not interested in hearing about her new problem. If that doesnt work, you can either talk to her or just stop hanging out with her. Either way, something has to change unless you want to be her pathetic little sounding board for the rest of your lives.

"Don't fall for someone who's not willing to catch you"

I used to have a friend like this - she wasn't happy unless she had something to complain about. She also dealt with depression and anxiety. Is this the case with your friend?

I tried for a long time to maintain a friendship with the girl, but after 3 years, I just couldn't take it anymore and phased her out of my life. (We also worked together.) Sometimes people are just too draining to deal with, especially when it's mental issues and you can't help them.

I agree with i am awesomeness - hypochondriac. I wonder if hypochondriacs would be more open to going to a doctor for the hypochondriac problem since they tend to jump on anything that might be an illness. Or would they be in denial about it the same way most people don't like to admit it when they need some mental help? Well, only one way to find out!

OOOOOOOOOOOOO one of "those". I can't stand people who do that; it drives me up the wall. I start not to give a sh*t about whats wrong woth them, which is mean but they abuse my sympathy!

heh heh BTW looseseal I love your avatar its adorable

UGH! I can't stand people like this. People who talk about themselves all the time are annoying enough, even if she wasn't constantly moaning about her 'ailments'.

A friend of mine is similar, if you so much as greet her she'll open with an "I'm sick" - and people simply dread talking to her sometimes.

It's actually just rude at the end of the day, and it shouldn't be tolerated. You should seriously say something to her, just be straight about it.

Yeah she just likes the attention. I would stop discussing all medical issues at once and change the subject when she brings something up. Also, be busy at lunchtime for the next week, maybe she will latch onto someoen else

If you do phase her out, let her know why. I think sometimes people like her don't even realize they're annoying people and pushing them away, and if they knew that, they might stop.

I'd say something like, "Jeez, it seems like every time we talk you're ill or in pain. Maybe you should leave these discussions for your doctor and we can talk about something else...[insert question here: so are you going to go see the Sex and the City movie?]"

two words of advice: IGNORE HER!

It could be a somatoform disorder like hypochondriasis or undifferentiated somatoform disorder, but if she is intentionally producing symptoms or feigning it to assume the sick role with no other external incentives then it is definitely factitious disorder.

Second gigi's advice.

If it's not hypochondria, it could be Munchhausen's syndrome. Or just a rampant personality flaw. In any case, I agree that you should (gently, but clearly) inform her of the problem, and let her know it's making you want to avoid her. For most people, that should be enough of a wake-up call. If it's not, there probably is something wrong with her that you can't fix, and you may have to phase her out.

You should let her know how you feel, just be gentle about it.

I have no room to talk, though. I've had a similar friend for the last 20+ years who is such a drama queen. She's either being a hypochondriac or obsessing over some other issue & either way she always ends up saying something like "You're lucky, you don't have it as bad as I do." It's to the point now that half the time I don't answer the phone. (We're talking 5-8 phone calls a day.) Thank goodness for caller id! It would be horrible if I had to work with her.

I'm not sure if you should phase her out or not. I guess it depends on how close you are. Sometimes, when I'm sick of trying to tone my friends attitude down, I do wish I had phased her out but I love her & she is a blessing in other ways.

Definitely talk to her about it. I'll bet she might not even realize she's doing it.

I honestly feel for you! I have been friends with someone like that and it is the most irritating thing ever. You feel bad being irritated because you feel this is not truly harmful, but it really is. If talking to her about it doesn't work, I suggest you distance yourself from her.

OMG! I think we work with the same person! Do you work with CRYSTAL ???

i have a friend JUST like it. at first i was sympathetic, then it started to annoy me. Now when she says she feels sooooo poorly, i either say
"go home then"
"wow you're always poorly, maybe you should see a doctor"
"mm-hmm" (and then start talking about something else).
one day she asked my why i wasn't being being sympathetic so i said, "you mean you want sympathy?" and she said, "well, an 'aww' would be nice". omg! so i just told her that she's always saying she's poorly and she never is. She got all offended but it still didn't stop her from going on about it. good luck though!