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5 Ways to Heal After a Friend Ghosts You, According to a Mental Health Expert

An expert says healing means acknowledging the loss, setting boundaries, separating facts from fears, and rebuilding the routines they left behind.

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As we get older, it’s natural to grow apart from some friends. However, while some friendships fade over time with grace and respect, others end abruptly with no communication or explanation.

You’ve heard of romantic ghosting, but what about friendship ghosting? This hurtful experience is taking over both the dating world and friendship culture. 

“A friendship breakdown without explanation is likely to spark genuine grief, reduce confidence, and cause a spiral of self-analysis,” says Steven Buchwald, Managing Director of Manhattan Mental Health Counseling. “We have strong generic social scripts for romantic relationship breakdowns. People expect to cry, express anger, and carry a sense of grief; however, friendship loss is rarely given the same legitimacy.”

Have you fallen victim to this painful trend? Here are five ways to heal from friendship ghosting.

1. Acknowledge the Loss

Many people dismiss the pain of a friendship breakup, claiming it’s not nearly as gut-wrenching as a romantic breakup. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth. 

“If the relationship mattered to you, don’t feel the need to play it down by describing the person as ‘just a friend’ or........

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