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RELATIONSHIPS

Best friends forever? Well, maybe not quite

 

A <em>Friends</em> episode in which income disparities strained relationships was realistic, a life coach says.
A Friends episode in which income disparities strained relationships was realistic, a life coach says.
JON RAGEL / NBC

Chicago Tribune

Have you ever had a full-blown falling-out with your best friend -- the kind that involves arguing, ignoring each other and even taking time apart?

It can feel like a bad break-up, according to relationship experts, some of whom said it can be worse than a romantic relationship gone wrong.

At least in the case of a significant other, the split-up rules are somewhat clear: you cut ties, move on and start to date other people.

Not so simple when it comes to your friends, who may share some of your closest contacts, favorite haunts and shadiest secrets. Cutting them out completely could be dangerous to your social life, psychotherapist Charleen Krombeen says.

So how do you know when you're facing de-friend-level offenses? How do you break it to a friend that it's absolutely over? Do you have to return their texts? What about Tweets? Should they be able to see your Facebook photos?

Check out our guide of common friendship rifts, as laid out by mental health and relationship experts. We'll tell you whether you should make up, wake up or break up.

RICH FRIEND, POOR FRIEND

Scenario: Remember the Friends episode when the poor friends -- Rachel, Phoebe and Joey -- briefly split from their wealthier buds -- Ross, Rachel and Chandler -- because they couldn't afford to hang out at ritzier locales? That is definitely a case of art imitating life, according to life coach Ionna Chaney of Chicago's Forward Alliance therapy center.

What to do: Make up. Money issues can usually be resolved if both parties are understanding, Chaney said.

How to do it: Communicate, preferably in person. ``If you're the rich friend, try to come up with ideas of somewhere you can enjoy each other's company, say at a home where you bring drinks over,'' Chaney said. And if you're the poor friend, speak up about your savings, or lack thereof. ``Tell the wealthier friend that you are not envious of their money, but the fact that you can't spend like them is a reality,'' Chaney advised.

STAND-UP ACT

Scenario: Your friend constantly blows you off or stands you up, typically for his or her significant other.

What to do: Wake up. This is an issue that can be serious, according to Krombeen. Address it before it gets that far.

How to do it: Communicate, preferably in person, and not necessarily at the time of the alleged abandonment. ``Put yourself in the other person's shoes and try to understand their perspective,'' Krombeen said. ``Don't be accusing, but say something like, `I notice I don't get to see you as much and I understand you are excited about your relationship and I am excited for you. But I miss you.' ''

YOUR ATTENTION, PLEASE

Scenario: It's not your friend's fault, but he or she is a major attention-getter everywhere the two of you go. And every time your friend turns heads, it turns your stomach. Jealous much?

What to do: Make up, in this case, there is nothing to say to your friend, but you can take individual action.

How to do it: ``Just try not to go everywhere with this friend,'' life coach Chaney said of an issue she usually finds in male friendships. ``Especially if they are outgoing and your qualities don't shine. There's no reason to break up over that.''

DEBBIE DOWNER

Scenario: Part of being a friend is providing a shoulder to cry on, but some whiners take it way too far. It can be emotionally taxing to deal with a friend who personifies Rachel Dratch's ``Debbie Downer'' from SNL.

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