Ghosting, along with related behaviors like "simmering" and "icing," refers to the sudden and unexplained cessation of all communication with another person, often in digital contexts. While most common in dating, ghosting also occurs in friendships, family, and even professional relationships. The term originated in the early 2000s and has become more prevalent with the rise of social media and online dating apps (see Social Media).

Prevalence and Cultural Context

Ghosting is widespread in modern digital relationships, partly due to the ease and anonymity provided by online platforms. It is often used as an escape from confrontation or emotional discomfort. The practice is not limited to romantic relationships; it can also occur among friends, family members, and even in the workplace.

Psychological and Emotional Impact

Being ghosted can have significant negative effects on mental health, including confusion, anxiety, lowered self-esteem, and emotional distress. Some mental health professionals describe ghosting as a passive-aggressive form of emotional cruelty. The lack of closure can make it difficult for individuals to process the end of a relationship, especially for those with anxious or avoidant attachment styles. (See Attachment Styles, Emotional Distress)

Coping Strategies

• Recognize that ghosting is often about the other person's discomfort with confrontation, not your worth.
• Seek support from friends, family, or professionals.
• Set digital boundaries (e.g., unfollow or mute the person who ghosted you).
• Focus on self-care and emotional recovery.
• Reflect on the experience to foster personal growth. (See Stress-Related Growth)

Related Phenomena

• Simmering: Gradually reducing communication and emotional investment without a clear ending.
• Icing: Temporarily suspending communication with the implication that it may resume later.

See also: Breakups, Online Breakups, Emotional Intimacy

Ghosting

• Show the emotional arc: confusion, hope, disappointment.
• Use digital cues (unread messages, status changes).
• Link to Long Distance Relationships.

Writing Examples

Example "Her phone buzzed with silence—three blue ticks, no reply, and a hollow ache that lingered longer than the conversation ever did."

Common Pitfalls

• Treating ghosting as trivial or comedic.
• Ignoring the emotional fallout.