Being ignored is one of the worst feelings in the world.
We’ve all felt that pang of hurt when someone we care about doesn’t acknowledge our presence or dismisses our feelings. While a temporary brush-off is often harmless, chronic ignoring can have some pretty nasty consequences. Here are some things that might start to happen if this becomes a regular occurrence in your life.
1. It eats away at your self-esteem.
When someone consistently ignores you, it can feel like a personal rejection, Verywell Mind acknowledges. It’s easy to start questioning your worth and wondering if you’re not interesting or important enough to deserve their attention. This can slowly destroy your self-esteem, making you feel less confident and secure in your relationships.
2. It leads to feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Being ignored can make you feel invisible and unimportant. It can create a sense of isolation, even when you’re surrounded by people. This can be particularly painful if the person ignoring you is someone close to you, like a friend, family member, or romantic partner. Over time, this isolation can lead to feelings of loneliness and disconnection.
3. It can trigger anxiety and depression.
The constant worry of being ignored can trigger anxiety and even depression. You might start overthinking every interaction, analyzing their words and actions for any signs of disinterest. This can create a vicious cycle of insecurity and self-doubt, making it difficult to enjoy your relationships or other aspects of your life.
4. It strains your relationships.
Being ignored can create a rift in your relationships. It can lead to resentment, misunderstandings, and a breakdown in communication. If the issue isn’t addressed, the ignored person might withdraw or distance themselves, further damaging the connection. In some cases, it can even lead to the end of a friendship or relationship.
5. It can lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms.
When people feel chronically ignored, they might resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms to deal with the emotional pain. This can include excessive drinking, substance abuse, or overeating. These behaviors can further damage their well-being and create additional problems in their lives.
6. It can affect your work or academic performance.
If you’re being ignored at work or school, it can negatively impact your performance. You might have trouble concentrating, feel less motivated, or avoid interacting with colleagues or classmates. This can lead to missed deadlines, poor grades, or even job loss.
7. It can make you more vulnerable to manipulation.
When someone ignores you, they create a power imbalance in the relationship. The ignored person might become desperate for attention and validation, making them more susceptible to manipulation or exploitation. They might tolerate unacceptable behavior or compromise their own needs and values in an attempt to regain the other person’s attention.
8. It can create a sense of helplessness and hopelessness.
Being repeatedly ignored can make you feel powerless and helpless. You might start to believe that nothing you do will change the situation and that you’re not worthy of love or respect. This sense of hopelessness can be devastating and can make it difficult to move forward or build healthy relationships.
9. It can make you question your own sanity.
When someone consistently ignores your attempts at communication or dismisses your feelings, it can lead to gaslighting. You might start doubting your own perceptions and wondering if you’re overreacting or imagining things. This can be incredibly disorienting and knocking your confidence in your own judgment.
10. It can lead to physical health problems.
The emotional stress of being ignored can manifest in physical symptoms like headaches, stomachaches, fatigue, and difficulty sleeping. According to the Cleveland Clinic, chronic stress can also weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to illness. In extreme cases, prolonged emotional distress can even contribute to serious health conditions like heart disease and high blood pressure.
11. It can make you feel like you don’t matter.
Being ignored can send the message that you’re not important or valuable. This can be particularly damaging if it comes from someone you love or respect. It can make you feel like your thoughts, feelings, and opinions don’t count, leading to a loss of self-worth and a sense of insignificance.
12. It can affect your future relationships.
If you’ve experienced chronic ignoring in past relationships, it can make it difficult to trust and open up to anyone in the future. You might become more guarded, hesitant to express your feelings, or fearful of being vulnerable. This can make it challenging to form healthy and fulfilling connections with people.
13. It can lead to anger and resentment.
Over time, the pain of being ignored can turn into anger and resentment towards the person who is ignoring you. This can poison the relationship and make it difficult to move forward. It can also lead to unhealthy behaviors like lashing out, seeking revenge, or engaging in passive-aggressive tactics.
14. It can cause you to withdraw from social interactions.
If you feel like you’re constantly being ignored, you might start to avoid social situations altogether. You might feel like there’s no point in trying to connect with people, as you’ll just be rejected or dismissed. This withdrawal can further isolate you and exacerbate feelings of loneliness and depression.
15. It makes you lose trust in people.
When someone you trust ignores you, it can shatter your faith in their reliability and integrity, Psych Central notes. This can make it difficult to trust anyone in the future, even if they haven’t given you a reason to doubt them. This loss of trust can make it challenging to build healthy relationships and can create a sense of cynicism and suspicion in your interactions with pretty much everyone.
16. It can make it difficult to forgive and move on.
If the person who ignored you eventually apologizes or tries to reconnect, it can be difficult to forgive and move on. The pain of being ignored can linger, making it hard to rebuild trust and restore the relationship to its previous state. It might take time, effort, and open communication to heal the wounds caused by the neglect.
