Coping With Ghosting
Recently a patient of mine came to the office feeling very down. She had been ghosted.
Ghosting, a term that describes the abrupt end of a relationship without any explanation, has become a common phenomenon in today’s digital dating culture. I often encounter patients who are dealing with the emotional and psychological fallout of being ghosted. Ghosting is not just about romantic relationships, it can also occur in friendships, family relationships and professional settings.
Ghosting is the act of suddenly disappearing from someone’s life without any explanation or closure. This behavior can leave the person on the receiving end feeling confused, hurt and disrespected. Ghosting is more about the person who does the ghosting than the person who is ghosted. It often reflects the ghost’s inability to handle difficult conversations, confrontations or emotions.
If you have been ghosted, you know that this can be quite a confusing time. Here are some tips on how to deal with it:
Acknowledge your feelings: It’s totally okay to feel hurt or betrayed by someone who ghosts you. These are normal reactions, and you are allowed to grieve the loss of the relationship.
Reach out to people who you trust: friends, family or a mental health professional. Sharing your feelings with someone can often help you gain a different perspective and feel relief.
Take care of YOU. Do things that you enjoy, reading a book, taking a walk, spending time with friends, traveling. Prioritize your wellbeing.
Although it’s totally not fun to be ghosted, it’s the universe’s way of allowing us to determine what you want in a relationship. What will you tolerate? It helps us make better choices in the future. Use this circumstances to learn and grow into a better person.
Someone’s decision to ghost you does not determine your worth or potential. Taking care of your emotional health and psychological health is just as important as your physical health.
