UPDATE: Colleen contributed to the article Why Is My Friend Ignoring Me All of a Sudden? by Jessa Claire for UpJourney.

What do you do when a friend suddenly stops talking to you? Do you try to figure out what happened? Or do you accept it as fate? Most people would say they don’t understand why their friends ignore them. But there is more to it than that. There are many reasons why your friend might be avoiding you. And if you know how to handle these situations, you can get back in touch with that person again. Here are some possible explanations for why your friend may be ignoring you:

Your friend is going through an emotionally difficult time. Life tends to throw emotional curve balls at us all. And these can be particularly hard to deal with when you see your friend in the midst of it. Sometimes people don’t feel like sharing what’s bothering them with another person. So instead of forcing your friend into telling you what’s wrong, try letting your friend know how much you love them and that you’d be happy to listen whenever that time comes.

Your friend is moving away. Moving away from a friend can be hard on both parties involved. Your friend might not feel like they can confide in you because they are unsure how to handle this situation. Be patient and communicate that you care regardless of any distance that might come.

Your friend met someone new. This could be difficult for you if you allow your mind to wander. Your friend might not be ready or comfortable enough to share what’s happening; trust their instincts. You should also respect your friend’s privacy. Don’t make assumptions about what’s happening between your friend and the new person. Let your friend tell you what’s going on.

Your friend got fired. Getting fired sucks. It can be stressful and embarrassing. An incident like this can cause your friend to withdraw from social situations and not want to interact with others. If your friend keeps things bottled up inside, give them some space.

Your friend feels guilty. It may be that your friend gets too busy sometimes. Perhaps their work is super demanding, or they deal with personal issues. They didn’t get back to you because there was so much going on in their lives, which is why they haven’t responded. Give them time, and they will eventually respond to you.

Your friend may need professional help. This might seem overkill, but sometimes people who pull away from their friends may be a symptom of a more serious issue. Your friend might be experiencing depression or anxiety. Or maybe they are having trouble coping with something traumatic. Whatever the case, getting your friend the help they need is essential.

Get Support From A New Heights Mental Health Counselor

New Height counselors work with you to understand relationship challenges and help develop solutions that are right for you. Our therapists offer individualized support based on your needs. They’ll help you identify issues in your life and how they affect your relationships. Our counselors are trained to address specific areas of concern, such as communication, conflict resolution, anxiety, depression, stress management, grief, loss, anger, trauma, abuse, self-esteem, and more.

Appointment Schedule (Last appointment – 4 PM)

Sunday Closed

Monday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Tuesday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Wednesday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Thursday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Friday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Evenings/Weekends by Appointment

Additional Resources:

• 4 Healthy Ways to Deal With a Friend Who Keeps Ignoring You, Elite Daily writers Anna Johansson / Claire Fox
• Why Is My Friend Ignoring Me All of a Sudden? Paired Life writer Jorge Vamos
• Welcome Video New Heights Counseling Founder & Clinical Director Colleen Wenner

About the Author:

Colleen Wenner is the founder and clinical director of New Heights Counseling, where she provides counseling services for individuals struggling with mental health issues. She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. Colleen is a certified supervisor in Florida and an EMDR trauma-certified practitioner and consultant in training. Colleen is committed to providing excellent client care and services the Fort Walton Beach, Crestview, Niceville, Destin, and surrounding communities.

Colleen has consistently advocated for mental health wellness and has dedicated her entire life to promoting awareness among the public. She has been featured on various podcasts such as Practice of the Practice (The #1 Podcast for counselors in private practice), Shrink Think Podcast, and The Salty Christan Podcast, to name a few. She has also contributed to several Yahoo Best Life, Unfinished Man, UpJourney, and WebMD articles. Colleen uses compassionate and authentic communication to help clients understand themselves better and feel more confident about their ability to improve their lives.