This article was originally published at Medium. The risks of social isolation. I remember feeling relieved when I had a conversation with my boyfriend and he explained that he would love me regardless of what I wear (the only exception being the ill-fitting cat eye glasses I wore in high school but thats beside the point). It the legitimate reasons are for real and are not just subterfuge or out-and-out lies, you could be doing the right thing by staying open, accommodating, and flexible. They come and go by many names, but he is the. Ask The Friendship Doctor. Anonymous #1. Last night to party with friends. Perhaps you recently volunteered to help your friend move at the last minute. It is getting the courage to say I love you, only to hear silence. RELATED:8CringeworthySigns You're The Other Woman (Or One Of Many). Your friend might have something troubling them, even if they havent felt able to share, and they may not realize how unsupported you feel. These strategies can help you bring it back into balance: Different factors can contribute to one-sided friendships. Get the help you need from a therapist near youa FREE service from Psychology Today. I try to not let this consume me. Once you end the friendship, youll need to stop reaching out. In a one-sided friendship, the communication, time, and effort needed to sustain the connection typically falls to one person. Strong friendships are based on mutual support, however. We can only handle 150 friendships at a time. Instead of promoting a sense of connection, one-sided friendships can create distress. They come and go by many names, but he is the womanizer that can charm the pants off anyone. I feel my stomach drop like Im on a rollercoaster that only seems to go down. Interpersonal relationships range from those with your family and friends to romantic partners and acquaintances. Friends can offer support in so many ways: soup when youre sick, words of comfort or distraction after a bad day, or a spare bedroom when you need to get away. What it means to feel emotionally safe in a relationship. In a one-sided friendship, most conversations revolve around their needs and interests. Someone who you hope people will like more, connect to more, or notice more. They may need help, someone to talk to, money, transportation, or another favor. You might also find you always have to go to them. You thought things were going well until they weren't. I can work four jobs, get honors in college and manage a serious relationship because I dont have to worry about offending anyone with neglect. In the meantime, although you don't have a best friend at the moment, you are fortunate to have good friendship-making skills, a group of friends who appreciate you, and many potential candidates for a best friend.