How to Deal With a Broken Friendship

Overview

Dealing with a broken friendship can cause feelings of depression, anger, confusion and resentment. You might feel pain because your actions and words caused the friendship to break, or perhaps you have no idea why the friendship ended. No matter what the reasons are, you can deal with the painful emotions.

Step 1

Clear the slate. If appropriate, have a talk with your friend or write a note saying you are sorry that things worked out the way they did. Psychiatrist Gail Saltz asserts that "someone who has been important in your life deserves a real discussion and real honesty."

Step 2

Try to maintain friendships in the same circle, even if this one friendship within it ended, by keeping your former friend on group emails or even by sending a party invitation his way occasionally so no one in the circle feels that they need to choose sides.

Step 3

Do not agonize about the broken friendship if you are unable to figure out what made it end. Some friendships fizzle on one person's end with no explanation. Author Jan Yager reiterates, "The romanticized ideal that friendships should not end or fail may create unnecessary distress in those who should end a friendship but hold on, no matter what."

Step 4

Do apologize to your friend if you realize that you made some mistakes that contributed to the end of the friendship. This might not repair the friendship, but it will help you repair your conscience.

Step 5

Strengthen your other friendships. The best way to get your mind off of your broken friendship is to spend some time with other good friends. Use the lessons you learned to make your current friendships even stronger.