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What should I do when my boyfriend ignores me?

317 Answers
Last Updated: 03/15/2022 at 11:44pm
What should I do when my boyfriend ignores me?
★ This question about Relationship Stress was starred by a moderator on 5/12/2016.
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Top Rated Answers
Peeps
August 8th, 2015 4:18am
Try talking things out with him and explaining your perspective! Sometimes they don't even realize that they are ignoring you or are not giving you enough attention. Communication is key
MadilynRose
June 18th, 2015 10:47pm
Maybe ask him if anything is bothering him. Sometimes, we get preoccupied or distracted, and end up ignoring those we care about. It might be that there's something on his mind, and if you ask him, it might be a relief for him to know you're there to talk about it. If not, give him some time, maybe. We never know what's going on in someone else's mind. :)
Anonymous
July 3rd, 2015 2:50am
give it time so you know why he didn't respond before deciding what to do don't overreact as you don't have any clue what's going on on the other end
AnneLila
July 1st, 2015 6:24pm
May be I will try few times asking whats wrong with him......... But if he still ignores me, i will move on thinking that he doesn't deserve me.... Thats it!
kindForest39
March 23rd, 2016 5:50pm
Evaluate the relationship, maybe you both need space, maybe you have said something to upset them, or maybe it is coming to end, or he could just be busy the best thing to do is to go in with a clear calm head and sort things out face to face so you can both express how you feel and you can both reach a conclusion, and that will also stop you hating each other.
Sweetlolly11
June 28th, 2015 2:09am
If it's a text message for a couple of hours or if he falls asleep while talking, I'm sure it's nothing to worry about, but if he avoids you on purpose or acts like you aren't there when you're with him, that's a serious issue you need to discuss with him. Things like this can only be solved with communication.
Queen214
January 13th, 2016 9:08pm
Try to sit down and talk to him in a setting where he feels comfortable. Also don't demand a answer.
blissfulGrace86
January 13th, 2016 5:31pm
You should distinguish if he does it on purpose or not ... if he is doing it on purpose then you must ignore him too cause you aren't a priority in his life
Anonymous
July 31st, 2015 4:44am
Have a calm nice talk with him and get into a conversation on what's been bothering you and bring up about why he is ignoring you.
LizardPerson
June 8th, 2016 8:12pm
Tell him how that makes you feel. Communication really is key. Being ignored is a very hard thing to deal with. Maybe he doesn't realize he is doing it and is genuinely busy. Just have a conversation with him, preferably face to face, and tell him what's up.
Anonymous
June 19th, 2015 5:35pm
Discuss with him how you feel. Make sure he listens to you and tell him exactly how you feel. If he disregards your feelings then do the same to him. You deserve better.
Anonymous
June 13th, 2016 2:21am
From my experienced, please try to understand him as well , keep the reason on your why he was ignore ? Maybe he was busy ... keep understand your partner side.. and try to talk to him about your feelings and ask him to spend some little time with you ...
clariageorge
July 25th, 2015 5:37am
If your boyfriend is being ignorant towards you, try speaking alone with him about it. However if he is again ignorant, you need to rethink and question yourself as to why you are in this relationship.
Feliapost522
June 28th, 2015 1:33pm
This is Asked very often and because we are ladies we alwayssss Look for attention , affection etc.. Am i right? 😉 you should never feel neglected if your boyfriend ignores you.. He has probably had a Long day and is looking for some relax .. He is maybe upset about something that he cant particularly talk about or he is just maybe looking for a bit of space.. Being in a relationship can be very tiring and it has ITS perks .. He is just maybe looking for some quality time with himself .. We all want 'me' time sometimes...
Anonymous
December 23rd, 2015 4:17pm
You can try talking to him ,but make sure you are calm and cool. Just ask him what's bothering him or what's the reason, just talk it out and listen to his side before reacting. If he opens up, well and good. If not , its better not to pester him and leave him alone for a while. Give him some space...you cannot just force someone to talk to you. Talk to him after a while ..or you can wait. Maybe he will get back to you when he is ready and then talk.
Anonymous
July 16th, 2015 3:03pm
Try meeting with him face-to-face and have a serious conversation. If he continues to ignore you after that, it may be time to break off the relationship.
SAMHITA
June 21st, 2015 10:28am
try to give him his space till he understands how important you are to him and that he should not ignore you
amazingPuppy99
December 4th, 2016 4:19pm
Sometimes simply asking the question "Why are you ignoring me?" can open the communication to start understanding and working on solutions together.
ShiningStar87
June 21st, 2015 3:54am
Talk to him. It might seem frustrating but there might be something bothering him that he doesn't feel comfortable talking about. I have ignored people in the past because I was too afraid to talk to them about something, and I have also been ignored in similar situations. Every experience is different, you have to figure out what the problem is and whether it is workable or not. Reassure them that you will listen and will not judge them, and see from there.
eitakbuzz
June 21st, 2015 12:52am
I would send him a message telling him you don't appreciate being ignored, and ask him if there's any reason he's ignoring you. After that, I would recommend distracting yourself, with friends and family, until he responds. That way you have a bubble of support for when you feel low.
EmpathicVision
January 5th, 2017 10:34pm
Well, first and foremost is observing the situation objectively. You feel ignored. What is he doing that makes you feel that way? What behavior would make you feel heard? And then gently (without accusing him of ignoring you, although I know it can be tempting) bring up the situation. Maybe ask if there is something on his mind, or let him know that his opinion is valuable to you. Addressing the issue in a caring and open manner helps take away the possible sting of accusation and the reactive defensiveness that often comes with it. Hopefully he will be open to sharing his side of what is going on and to listen to you. Don't forget to be open and to listen to where he is coming from too!
Anonymous
June 20th, 2015 6:23pm
that is a wondering question, I sense that you are feeling ignored and not listened to by someone you love?
Anonymous
July 9th, 2015 7:27am
Know that you don't deserved to be ignored. You are a human who has emotions. Being ignored sucks and make sure he knows that you have feelings too.
Anonymous
December 27th, 2015 12:10am
You should never have to chase someone. If they care about you, they'll show you. Actions speak louder than words, so don't settle for less than what you deserve.
Anonymous
July 8th, 2015 2:47pm
I would explain to him how he is making me feel when he ignores me and try and have a conversation about it..
Solome24
August 4th, 2020 4:03am
Being ignored feels awful. I can relate. To answer your question: it depends on the situation. Is he ignoring you because he's upset with you for some reason, or is he down and just wants some alone time, or is he ignoring you out of the blue and you don't know why? Is it chronic? If it's chronic, meaning he does this daily or very often, or if it's a big enough issue that it really bothers you, I would talk to him about it. Even if it isn't daily, but it still hurts you, eventually you'd have to talk and let him know how you feel about it, in order for both of you to move past it. With my partner, I talked to him about the times when he ignores me, and how it hurts me because I felt like he was mad at me. He actually said he isn't mad at me, he just wants his space sometimes. So I wouldn't necessarily go chasing him if he ignores you - I give him space and then bring up the topic later when you feel his mood is good and he's willing to chat. When you do talk about it, however, pay close attention to if he's being sincere about it. What does your gut tell you? And go from there :)
sadi1994
July 8th, 2015 9:44pm
Try to ask him what's wrong. Have a chat with him and try to figure out if something is bothering him right now.
PileOfRubbles
June 19th, 2015 7:37pm
Ignore him back. If he keeps doing it. Search for the problem. If the problem persists i advise looking for someone who cares about you
friendlyJoy23
July 10th, 2015 6:41am
The five steps to overcoming panic attacks are: Acknowledge & Accept Wait & Watch (and maybe, Work) Actions (to make myself more comfortable) Repeat End Let's take a look at what each step entails. Acknowledge & Accept All progress starts here. This is the most important single step to overcoming panic attacks. Acknowledge Here I acknowledge the present reality, that I'm afraid and starting to panic. I won't try to ignore it, or pretend it's not there. I won't struggle to distract myself, tell myself to "stop thinking about it!", or snap any rubber bands on my wrist. I'm acknowledging simply that I am afraid, not that I am in danger. The thought that I am in danger is just another symptom of panic, not an important or useful thought. Accept Here I accept the fact that I'm afraid at this moment. I don't fight the feeling; ask God to take it away; blame myself, or anybody else. I accept, as best I can, that I'm afraid in the same way I would accept a headache. I don't like headaches, but I don't bang my head against the wall in an effort to get rid of them, because that makes them worse. Overcoming panic attacks begins with working with, not against, my panic and anxiety symptoms. How Can I Accept a Panic Attack? What makes a panic attack acceptable (not desirable, but acceptable) is that, while it feels awful and fills me with dread, it isn't dangerous. It won't kill me or make me crazy. Someone pointing a gun at me, that's not acceptable. I might get hurt or killed. If someone points a gun at me, I have to do whatever I can to change that: run, hide, fight, yell, bribe, or beg, because the consequence of being shot is so terrible that I must try to avoid it. On the other hand - a policeman giving me a ticket, even if I don't deserve it, I can live with that, and can hopefully keep my temper in check so I don't make things worse for myself. Accepting the symptoms, not resisting, is a powerful step to overcoming panic attacks. What Can a Panic Attack Do to Me? It makes me feel afraid, that's what a panic attack does. And, if I'm having a panic attack, I'm already there! I'm already experiencing the worst that will happen. I just need to ride it out. That's the surest path to overcoming panic attacks. Why should I accept a panic attack? Because the more I resist panic, the worse it gets. The more I develop the habit of acceptance, the more progress I make toward my goal of overcoming panic attacks. That's Acknowledge & Accept. How does that compare to what you usually do during a panic attack? Wait & Watch (and maybe, Work) Wait What I mean by "Wait" is this: don't just do something, stand there. It's similar to the suggestion "count to ten before you get mad". One of the hallmarks of a panic attack is that it temporarily robs you of your ability to think, remember, and concentrate. This step will buy you a little time to regain those abilities before you take any action. When you react before you have a chance to think straight, what do you do? If you're like most people, you probably flee, or struggle. You do things that actually make it worse. This is what people mean when they say things like "I know I'm doing it to myself" and the harder I try, the worse it gets. Jumping into action too quickly is a big obstacle to overcoming panic attacks. So, even though you have a powerful urge to leave, postpone that decision for a little bit. Don't tell yourself you CAN'T leave - keep that option open so you don't feel trapped - but put off the decision about whether or not to leave. Stay in the situation. You don't need to run away to get relief. Let relief come to you. Watch Use the occasion to observe how the panic works, and how you respond to it. The best way to do this is to fill out a panic diary. The diary is a questionnaire which helps you notice important aspects of a panic attack, so you can respond more effectively over time. Feel free to download and reproduce it for your own personal use. You can also download a set of instructions. My patients often report that just filling out a diary helps them to calm down. How does this work? It's not that they're distracted from the subject of panic, because the diary questions are all about panic. It helps you get a little distance from your emotions. It works because, while you complete a diary, you're in the role of an observer, rather than feeling like a victim. The best way to use the diary is to fill it out during the attack, rather than after. If you're in a situation where writing is impractical, perhaps while driving a car, you can: use a digital recorder; have your support person read the questions to you and record your answers; or pull over for a few minutes to write. What About "Work"? If you're in a relatively passive situation during the panic attack - a passenger in a vehicle, getting your hair cut, or waiting in a waiting room - "Wait & Watch" is all you need. If you're in a more active role - driving a car or giving a presentation - then you also need to attend to the "Work" of conducting that activity. Do "Wait & Watch", but also remain engaged in your task. That's "Wait & Watch (and maybe, Work)". How does that compare to what you usually do during a panic attack? Actions (to make myself more comfortable) At this point, you've already gone through the two most important steps to overcoming panic attacks. These steps, and all the steps necessary to overcome panic disorder and phobia, are covered in much more detail in my Panic Attacks Workbook. What's Your Job During an Attack? It's not your job to bring the panic attack to an end; that will happen no matter what you do. Your job now is to see if you can make yourself a little more comfortable, while you wait for the attack to end. Here are a few techniques that my patients have found particularly useful in overcoming panic attacks. Belly Breathing Regardless of what else you do, do belly breathing. It's also known as diaphragmatic breathing, but I think "belly breathing" is more descriptive. Many people think they know how to do deep breathing, but don't do it correctly, so they don't get good results. A good belly breathing technique is a very powerful tool in the work of overcoming panic attacks! How to Talk to Yourself Talk to yourself (silently!) about what is happening, and what you need to do. One question my patients find very helpful is this: is it Danger or Discomfort?. Some of the other responses my patients like include the following: 1. Fine, let's have an attack! It's a good chance to practice my coping techniques. 2. Answer your "what if...?" fears by saying "So what? I'll get afraid, then calm down again." 3. It's okay to be afraid. Get Involved in the Present People don't panic in the present. People panic when they imagine something bad happening to them in the future or in the past. This is why your panic attacks are almost always accompanied by some "what if...?" thought. If a dog just bit my leg, I don't say "what if a dogbite?". The reason you say "what if...?" is because what you fear is not actually happening! Get back into the activity you were engaged in prior to the attack, and become involved with the people and objects around you. If you're in a store, resume shopping, reading labels, comparing prices, asking questions, etc. It will move you closer to your goal of overcoming panic attacks when you bring your focus and energy back to the present environment. By this I mean, work with what is around you. Work with Your Body Identify, and relax, the parts of your body that get most tense during a panic attack. This typically involves first tensing, and then relaxing, the muscles of your jaw, neck, shoulders, back and legs. Do not allow yourself to stand rigid, muscles tensed, and holding your breath. That just makes you feel worse! If you feel like you "can't move a muscle", start with just one finger! That's "Actions (to make myself more comfortable)". How does that compare with what you usually do during a panic attack? Repeat This step is here because you might start feeling better, then feel another wave of panic. Your first reaction might then be to think "Oh No, it didn't work!". The Repeat step is here to remind you that it's OK if that happens. Just take it from the top again. It's not unusual or dangerous. You may go through several cycles, and you just need to repeat the AWARE steps again, as often as you need. How does that compare with what you usually do? End This is here to remind you that your panic attack will end; that all panic attacks end; that they end regardless of how you respond; that it's not your job to make the attack end; and that your only job is to make yourself as comfortable as possible while waiting for the attack to end. Have these statements been true for you? Don't take my word for it. Review your own history of panic attacks and see. And maybe the next time you panic, when you notice yourself thinking, once again, "Will this ever end?", you'll find yourself answering, "YES!"
Anonymous
July 12th, 2015 4:20pm
boyfriend ignoring means either he has lost interest in you or he dont have anytime for you. in both case best thing to do is to surprise him with sweet lovely or intimate gesture