Just as in romantic relationships, friendships are based on mutual attraction. If you find yourself looking forward to seeing someone again, chances are that you've found a potential new friend. Choose friends who can understand or share important aspects of your life. People are often friends with people similar to them, and there's nothing wrong with that. You might bond over similar past experiences or shared challenges. Establish connections by talking about what you have in common. If you hear someone quote your favorite movie, tell them that you love it, too. Ask questions and offer examples from your own life. Make sure that you are open to friends who might challenge some of your assumptions. The best friends help to broaden our horizons. Look for clubs and organizations that have a range of different people in them. Remember that everyone has many different aspects. Someone might come from a very different sort of family, but have precisely the same kind of enthusiasm for chess as you do! Having a diverse set of friends helps you to relate to a wider range of people. You learn more about the world, with positive results not only for your social life, but your professional life as well. A good friend doesn't have to agree with everything you say. But they must care about your life and listen to you. You need friends who will respond to you and support you on your own path. If someone never laughs at your jokes or gets outraged on your behalf, they're not going to be a real friend. If someone is friendly to you, but mean to other people, or if they spend a lot of time gossiping about their other friends' shortcomings, they are unlikely to become a really good friend. In the end, they will treat you the way they treat their other friends. This might sound obvious, but when you're lonely, it can be tempting to grab on to anything that seems like friendship. Real friends, though, make you feel genuinely happy. You should laugh together and look forward to hanging out. If something feels off, it probably is. Let that person go and keep meeting new people. Even if a new friendship doesn't take off, treat that person politely and respectfully. People change over time, and you might find yourself growing closer to them later on.
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One-sentence summary -- Trust in chemistry. Find common ground. Seek diversity. Choose friends who support you. Notice how people treat their other friends. Enjoy spending time with your friends. Don't burn bridges.

Society often stigmatizes mental illness and those who suffer from it, and it can be easy to believe that the reason you have problems is because you're worthless or not working hard enough. This is not true. If you do have a mental illness, it is the result of a health condition, not personal failings or anything else. A good medical or mental health professional should never make you feel as though you're to blame for your illness, and neither should other people in your life -- or yourself. There is no single cause for mental illness, but there are a variety of biological factors that are known to alter brain chemistry and cause hormone imbalances. Genetic makeup. Some mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression, are strongly linked to genetics. If anyone else in your family has been diagnosed with mental illness, you may be more vulnerable to developing one due simply to your genetic makeup. Physiological damage. Injuries such as severe head trauma, or exposure to viruses, bacteria, or toxins during fetal development, can lead to mental illness. Abuse of illegal drugs and/or alcohol can also cause or worsen mental illness. Chronic medical conditions. Chronic medical conditions, such as cancer and other long-term severe illnesses, can elevate your risk for developing mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression. Some mental illnesses, such as anxiety and depression, are strongly linked to your personal environment and sense of well-being. Disruptions and instability can cause or worsen mental illness. Difficult life experiences. Highly emotional or distressing situations in life can trigger mental illness in a person. This can be concentrated in a moment, such as the loss of a loved one, or drawn out, such as a history of sexual, physical, or emotional abuse. Experience in combat or as an emergency responder can also trigger mental illness. Stress. Stress can worsen existing mental illness and can also cause mental illnesses such as depression or anxiety. Family conflicts, financial difficulties, and work concerns can all be sources of stress. Loneliness. Not having a strong support network, having few friends, and lacking healthy relationships can trigger or worsen mental illness. Some mental illnesses are present from birth, but others develop over time or appear quite suddenly. The following are symptoms that can be warning signs of mental illnesses: Feelings of sadness or irritability Feelings of confusion or disorientation Feelings of apathy or loss of interest Excessive worrying and anger/hostility/violence Feeling afraid/paranoia Trouble coping with emotions Difficulty concentrating Difficulty handling responsibilities Seclusion or social withdrawal Sleeping problems Delusions and/or hallucinations Ideas that are strange, grandiose, or detached from reality Alcohol or drug abuse Significant changes in eating habits or sex drive Suicidal thoughts or plans Sometimes, physical symptoms can serve as warnings for the presence of mental illness. If you have symptoms that persist, seek medical help. Warning symptoms include: Fatigue Back, chest, and/or pains Rapid heart rate Dry mouth Digestive problems Headaches Sweating Drastic changes in weight Dizziness Dramatic changes in sleep patterns Many of these symptoms appear in response to day-to-day events, and are thus not necessarily indicators that you are mentally ill. You should be wary if they do not go away, and, more importantly, if they negatively impact your ability to function in day-to-day life. Never be afraid to seek professional medical help.
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One-sentence summary -- Understand that mental illness is not your fault. Understand possible biological risk factors. Understand possible environmental risk factors. Recognize mental warning signs and symptoms. Recognize physical warning signs and symptoms. Determine how drastic your symptoms are.

When you experience success, your best friends should be the first people to congratulate you. Best friends are not competitive with one another but supportive of each other. Jealous friends are not your best friends. Best friends give each other an extra boost of confidence before an exam or a job interview. They build each other up with positivity, instead of tearing each other down with negative criticism. Best friends don't belittle each other. Best friends hold each other to higher standards. Your best friends should steer you towards positive influences and decisions because they care for your safety, health, and happiness. Friends that place you in an awkward, embarrassing situation, do not have your best interest in mind.
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One-sentence summary --
Consider which of your friends are truly happy for you. Evaluate their ability to encourage you. Decide which of your friends are positive influences.