GHOSTING

GHOSTING

Ghosting is when a person abruptly cuts all communication with someone and seems to disappear over night. They will stop texting and messaging the person without any explanation as to why they are doing it. They will also ignore any attempts that the other person may make to contact them.

The main reason a person ghosts someone is to avoid confrontation. The other main reason are loss of interest in the relationship, convenience, they had a negative experience with the person and safety. Out of all of the above reasons safety is the only legitimate reason why someone might choose to ghost someone. All of the others show a lack of empathy for how their actions affect others. 

Unfortunately, ghosting is not an uncommon modern dating trait. A *study conducted in 2018 by the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships found that roughly one quarter of the participants had experienced ghosting from a date or potential partner. Further to that one fifth of the participants admitted to ghosting someone themselves.

When someone has experienced ghosting it can lead to feelings of abandonment, anxiety, depression, low self-worth, low self-esteem and the person may start to blame themselves. It can also lead to the person obsessing over the relationship as they never receive any closure or fully understood what went wrong.

Ghosting can also lead to future mistrust within relationships and the person may become extra clingy or possessive.

Julia Davis
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Mental health expert
MS, University of Latvia

I am deeply convinced that each patient needs a unique, individual approach. Therefore, I use different psychotherapy methods in my work. During my studies, I discovered an in-depth interest in people as a whole and the belief in the inseparability of mind and body, and the importance of emotional health in physical health. In my spare time, I enjoy reading (a big fan of thrillers) and going on hikes.

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