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Ghosted or Orbited? A Psychotherapist Breaks Down Some Perils Of Digital Dating

About a third of U.S. adults have looked for love online.

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Maria Korneeva/Moment via Getty Images

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Buzzwords describing the digital dating scene are all over social media. Have you been ghosted? Is someone orbiting you? Are you being breadcrumbed? While these dating patterns may not be new, the words to describe them continue to evolve.

As a psychotherapist, I see firsthand the impact these experiences can have on mental health. Given the sheer number of people using dating apps – 53% of American 18-to-29-year-olds and 37% of 30-to-49-year-olds– it’s likely you have some first- or secondhand exposure to this world.

If you’re curious about the latest psychological research on digital dating – and are looking for evidence-based strategies to cope – read on.

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