How to Deal with Getting Ghosted when You’re Anxiously Attached

Ghosting is not an indictment of your worthiness or lovability.

Photo by Andrik Langfield on Unsplash

The phenomenon of ghosting, which involves one person in a relationship suddenly ending all communication without explanation, can be a profoundly distressing experience. It’s a form of silent treatment, where the ‘ghoster’ disappears much like a spectral apparition, leaving a wake of confusion and pain. The experience can be exceptionally challenging for individuals with an anxious attachment style. This relational dynamic is marked by an intense concern for relationships, an inherent fear of rejection, and a constant need for reassurance.

Understanding the Dynamics: Ghosting and Anxious Attachment

The first step towards effectively dealing with ghosting is understanding the underlying dynamics of both ghosting and anxious attachment. The act of ghosting is typically seen as an avoidance-based strategy where the ghoster, instead of confronting uncomfortable feelings or conflicts, chooses to disappear, leaving the other person bereft of closure.

Anxious attachment style, on the other hand, is rooted in insecurity. Those with an anxious attachment style tend to fear abandonment, crave intimacy and are often overly…