Do you have friends who ignore/block you (or everyone) during periods of emotional overwhelm?

[FunSunday]

I’m curious if anyone else goes through this with their friends. Do you have friends who, during tough emotional times, choose to ignore or block you (or everyone), or distance themselves completely for weeks at a time?

How do you handle it, and what strategies have you found helpful in dealing with this kind of behaviour?

I’m interested in hearing your thoughts and experiences on this as it’s driving me crazy.

Thanks!

Also all of this.

There is nothing to handle I just understand and let them be and not make it about me

Absolutely this. I'm amazed that you've made this about you, tbh.

While I understand and share the feeling of not always being able to respond to messages etc, I find it very hard when particular people are too overwhelmed to message or meet up for long periods but then expect immediate resumption of close friendship when they feel like it. It can feel like a one way street which isn't how friendships or relationships should really be.

I am that friend! I struggle hugely to reach out when things get too much! It is not because I do not value the friendship but just that I cannot cope

I go quiet but don’t block. I know I need to process my thoughts and figure stuff out myself without having to worry about others opinions or emotions. I’d hope friends would be understanding of this.

I don’t like how always available we’re expected to be now. Some of my closest friends I’ll maybe see every couple of weeks or once a month with very little messaging in between which works for me. I think I’d struggle with a friendship that required constant messaging.

Me. When overwhelmed, what’s to say. No one can help. Only time and quiet helps, in order to process and come to terms with the overwhelming feelings..

I have a family member who sends out WA broadcast or statuses to not contact her.

We've recognised it's usually a cry for help so will wait a few days then send, flowers, food or offer to have her kids for the weekend/holidays.

We realised it's not about us, so give her space to deal with whatever it is, and leave room for her when she re-emerges.

Shut down is a coping mechanism in the short term or it's also a symptom of trauma.
It's not about you it's an attempt to cope. Sometimes it's easier to shut down communication than to deal with the uncertainties and insecurities

I do respect that. That’s precisely the point I made in both my posts. I’m simply saying that noone tells you want to do in that situation. Ignoring someone who is very clearly in need of support goes against human instinct, but you have to do it or you’ll get pushed even further away.

Yes, i have a friend who's done this for the 25 years I've known her. She also moved 200 miles away from everyone she knows to then complain that she's lonely.

I don't block, but I do tend to ignore.

When I have made the fact I am struggling public before, I get overwhelmed with the messages and offers of help etc. People seem to want replies and updates, and I just can't manage with it all.

So, I just hide for a while. It is very hard to put myself back out there though.

No, I don't have any friends like this.