<human>: Hello all,

My girlfriend and I have been together for nearly a year and although things moved pretty quickly, it was a great time. I look back and realize that when we first met, we were both very lonely and we became attached too quickly. Recently though, I feel as though we bicker more than we ever used to and, little by little, I've sort of become aware that the relationship isn't working. I love her very much, but I've now come to know those feelings are no longer romantic. We live in different cities (around 1-2 hours apart) and usually alternate between who visits who every other weekend.

Here's where things get difficult. I've known that I wanted to end things for awhile now, but her dad is very sick. In fact, he's been dying (I'm not exactly sure what his condition is called) for the last few years, well before we knew each other. I know that I would have ended things long ago had it not been for her father's situation. I'm just very concerned that his health and a breakup (along with the stress of work) will be too much for her.

She sometimes lashes out physically against herself, such as in bitting her own arm or scratching herself. She's made comments before, during arguments such as "I should just take a drug-cocktail" or "I couldn't even move or breathe if I didn't have you." How concerned should I be and what precautions should I take?

I need to end this as painlessly for her as possible, what can I do? Help!

Can you provide a brief overview of the text?
<bot>: I don't feel the same way about my girlfriend that used to and need to end it. Her father is sick and I'm worried about overwhelming her.