Madison Burgess
Break-ups aren't nice for anyone - whether they're expected or not.
However, there is something particularly heartbreaking about being broken up with and having absolutely no idea it was coming.
Although sometimes there's simply no way to tell, a psychology TikToker has shared the three stages that sometimes happen before the big event, based on their own experiences.
The account, which posts under the handle, @feelingsolios, explained: "When someone is getting ready to leave you, there are usually three clear signs, and they often show up in a specific order. This is a common break-up pattern."
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Of course, break-ups are different for everyone and these signs don't automatically mean you're being dumped, before you start panicking.
According to the social media post, stage one is mood swings, stage two is emotional withdrawal and stage three is blaming you - but of course, break-ups are different for everyone and these signs don't automatically mean you're being dumped, before you start panicking.
But, if you've noticed more than one of these things from your partner, it may be bad news...
The TikToker explained that stage one is mood swings, where your partner may 'start becoming unpredictable, moody, distant and irritated over small things or they just ignore you'.
The account explained: "When you try to smooth things over, they suddenly act sweet again. You'll find their emotional triggers confusing and completely unpredictable.
"The truth is, they're not actually upset about any specific thing - they've started to form a negative opinion of you as a person, but since they haven't full decided whether to let go, they subconsciously begin nitpicking."
Adding that if you're still being kind and patient, this can make them feel guilty for having break-up thoughts, since you likely haven't done anything wrong.
"Their irrational behaviour is just a way to ease their own anxiety," the psychology TikToker explained.
So, you've noticed some unusual mood swings - step two may be emotional withdrawal.
The social media user explained: "After a period of hot and cold behaviour, they start to genuinely pull away. You used to talk all the time but now you're the only one reaching out trying to keep the relationship alive. By this point their guilt has mostly faded. They've become emotionally numb and stopped responding altogether."
They added: "Still, they won't initiate a break-up because doing so would make them look like the bad guy. So they wait for your passion to wear down under their indifference. They wait for you to break down or lash out so they can blame you for everything and make it seem like the break-up was your fault."
Finally, if your partner really does want to break up with you and the previous two signs are emerging, they might then start blaming you when show that 'you finally can't take it any more and try to have a serious talk'.
The account claims: "They might brush you off at first and say you're being paranoid or they're just tired. But if you press further, they'll start getting obviously irritated.
"They'll accuse you of being too emotional, too controlling, say they feel suffocated or miserable in the relationship. Then comes the full blame shift. You're too sensitive, too dramatic, too reactive. When all you ever wanted was a normal honest response."
If you react emotionally, questioning them or arguing back, which is the most likely scenario, they might use this opportunity to end things.
"They want you to lose control so they can finally say 'I can't deal with this anymore' and walk away," the account explained.