"When an ex and I broke up, the literal first message I got from my buddy was telling me he was going to ask her out. She and I had just broken up the night before."

"It is surprisingly common. For some, it's not knowing what to say, so they don't say anything. Others, seeing a friend diagnosed hits too close to home, and it destroys their psychological veil of indestructibility. Another group thinks the best way to help is to give space, which is rarely the right response. If you talk to survivors, I'd bet more than half would say they experienced the same. I'm sorry it happened."

"I eventually realized his detachment wasn't indicative of some hatred toward me or some flaw with me, which is something I internalized for decades. He just didn't care, much the same way I don't wish harm on a distant cousin, but I don't really think of them until I run into them at a family event. It still fucks me up sometimes, but growing up for me was realizing that, despite how much I care about someone else, they might just not care about me the same way, and that's just how life works for everyone."

"I always had to make the plans and ask to hang out. I helped her find jobs and housing. She couldn't even drive a few hours to see me when I really needed her after I moved. I consider her a good person, just not a good friend. I texted her one day, kindly telling her I was 'breaking up' with her as a friend because I didn't feel the relationship was mutually beneficial and I was tired of trying to keep it alive."

"I have a friend who did this with every boyfriend she's had. She's engaged now in her longest relationship, and when he cheated on her, she texted me for the first time in months because she has very few people to turn to."

Note: Responses have been edited for length/clarity.