Friendship breakups are an understudied but devastating phenomenon, with new research revealing they can be more painful than romantic divorces. A study in The Journal of Social and Personal Relationships found that 62% of participants rated the end of a close friendship as equally or more distressing than a romantic breakup, yet only 12% sought professional support. The grief is compounded by societal dismissal—unlike romantic splits, friendship dissolutions lack cultural rituals or recognized mourning periods.
The study identifies three primary causes of friendship breakups: growing apart (45%), betrayal (30%), and unequal effort (25%). Social media exacerbates the pain, as former friends often remain digitally connected, forcing constant reminders of the loss. Therapists report a rise in clients seeking help for “friendship PTSD,” a term describing lingering trauma from toxic or abruptly ended friendships.
Experts advocate for greater awareness of this issue, suggesting schools and workplaces teach conflict-resolution skills for platonic relationships. Some therapists now offer “friendship closure sessions,” where ex-friends meet with a mediator to process the breakup. As society grapples with a loneliness epidemic, acknowledging the depth of friendship bonds—and the pain of their loss—is a critical step toward healing.
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