What does it mean to be broken-hearted?
Why does this even exist?
Surely its all a symptom of a deranged mind?
Falling in love is oftentimes described as madness...
That giddy feeling.
That adoration...
That listening intently to their every word...
As if they drop wisdom bombs when they describe their day...
Wow...It really messes with your mind.
Being in love has the same impact on your brain as cocaine.
This heightened sense of oneness with another being.
This overwhelming happiness.
This joy to be alive because you have this fabulous being in your life.
This typically lasts between 3 to 18 months...
Then the relationship either develops...
or fizzles out.
But these feelings come rushing back when the one you love...
no longer loves you...
and departs.
Now you have the overwhelming feelings of intense love and attraction...
Without the buzz of being together.
So intense joy transforms into intense pain.
Why?
Why do you suddenly long for the person whom yesterday you took for granted?
And having the one you love wrenched away from you can indeed induce madness...
Feelings of intense pain.
Regret
Loss.
and Sadness.
Why can't you just say goodbye and move on?
Understanding a Broken Heart
If can be emotionally devastating.
It arises from the loss of a loved one,
But principally from the end of a romantic relationship.
It brings deep disappointment.
And a sense of overwhelming loss.
And the pain can feel unbearable.
And inexplicable.
Signs of a broken-heart
They are obvious.
Some try to hide it...
But it is clear to others when someone is pretending to be "happy" with someone new...
We've all seen those posts on social media...
"Great spending lockdown with my soulmate."
"I love this woman more than any other."
Here's the biggest clue this is false:
When you are in love, you don't care what anyone else thinks, you only want to be with your loved one.
The other obvious signs:
Emotional pain
This is real and intense.
Feelings of sadness.
Loneliness.
Despair.
Physical Symptoms
Chest pains, akin to a panic attack.
Disturbed Sleep
Difficulty sleeping.
Being unable to fall asleep and waking frequently at night.
Often dreaming about their ex.
Loss of Interest
Not wanting to engage in previously enjoyable activities.
A lack of enthusiasm.
Feelings of listlessness.
Helplessness.
Depression.
An overall attitude of "what's the point?"
Conclusion
You haven't lived if you haven't had your heart broken.
Love entails risk...
And the greatest risk is loss.
Loss of the love you crave.
Loss of your loved one.
Many people fully recover and move on to love another.
Some never do.
They don't want to.
They felt complete with their ex and don't want to try again.
Some may need professional help to recover.
Some may sink into bitterness.
What is that famous quote from Tennyson?
"Its better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all."
