""That stage of life is all about figuring out who you are, which means emotions run high and identity can feel more fragile," said Kristin Anderson, licensed clinical social worker, founder of Madison Square Psychotherapy . "Because teens are still developing emotion regulation skills, small misunderstandings can escalate quickly in ways that are less common in adult relationships.""
""It is certainly common for friends to have misunderstandings, hurt feelings and differences of opinion. And then there are bigger issues, which can lead to friends ending their relationships," said Saba Harouni Lurie, licensed marriage and family therapist, founder of Take Root Therapy. "In my experience, people are often conflict-avoidant, and it's not uncommon for folks to withdraw from friendships without ever addressing the issues at hand. They may elect to take space until things blow over, or they may avoid one another altogether.""
Teenage years involve intense emotions and fragile identity as young people figure out who they are, and underdeveloped emotion regulation can make small misunderstandings escalate quickly. In adulthood, friends often see one another less frequently or choose to avoid conflict in hopes it will dissipate. Conflict-avoidant behavior commonly leads to withdrawal, taking space, or avoiding friends rather than addressing issues, which can end relationships. Constructive fights can signal closeness and allow vulnerability; the repair process following a disagreement helps friends feel more connected and safer in the relationship.
Read at HuffPost
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