My friend self-destructed after a healthy relationship. Why? /u/Beautiful-Head_ No such thing as stupid questions

My friend had a series of unhealthy relationships with girls. I know he was really depressed, and he is a former addict who never takes care of himself.

I knew he had a crush on his coworker for months and everybody encouraged him to go after her. He said no because “she’s too good.” She ended up making the first move and they started dating. He cut his hair. He stopped smoking, he started looking good and taking care of himself. Two months later, his depression is worse than it had ever been, and he kept saying that she was the best thing that ever happened to him. He ended up breaking up with her and going on a downward spiral.

He said to me recently “I constantly wonder what my life would’ve been like if I didn’t run away from her.”

Help me understand why he did this.

My friend had a series of unhealthy relationships with girls. I know he was really depressed, and he is a former addict who never takes care of himself.

I knew he had a crush on his coworker for months and everybody encouraged him to go after her. He said no because “she’s too good.” She ended up making the first move and they started dating. He cut his hair. He stopped smoking, he started looking good and taking care of himself. Two months later, his depression is worse than it had ever been, and he kept saying that she was the best thing that ever happened to him. He ended up breaking up with her and going on a downward spiral.

He said to me recently “I constantly wonder what my life would’ve been like if I didn’t run away from her.”

Help me understand why he did this.