How to deal with a needy friend?

You need to be direct and set a boundary.

Next time he texts, reply with “I am sorry that I do not have time for a conversation. Please do not text me again unless I text you first.”

Then don’t ever text him back again. If he continues to text you, block him.

And, you do not have to reply to emails. If he emails you asking why you are not responding, explain you do not have time to reply.

Is it really a friend? If all they do is ask you to do things for them it’s not a friendship. If that’s the case then cut the cord.

If I had a friend who continually suffocated and annoyed me, I’d end the friendship.

It wasn’t clear to me whether or not you want to continue to be friends with him. Do you want the friendship but with him being less demanding or do you want to be done with him totally?

Is this friend important to you? If yes, accept the fact he’s a bit more needy than usual. If however, there isn’t enough in it for you, end the friendship.

He’s a good friend, always there when needed. but my feeling is not mutual. I don’t know if I want to be friends. I don’t enjoy time together even if he hasn’t done anything wrong….. only is very needy

I have a friend like that. I’ve asked several questions about her on here in the past year. She suffered some trauma and has become a hypochondriac. Not only is she not fun, but she is demanding for me and others to accommodate her neediness. I’m trying to hold on to the friendship because I’m hoping she calms down. Other friends of hers tell me that they feel the same way.

In your case, I don’t see an end in sight.