Broken Heart
Many reading this post may be familiar with the term, a broken heart and some of us have experienced it in our life time. As a teenager, in love and there was a break in the relationship, we have said or heard his or her heart is broken. This is usually for a short time until we get into another relationship.
But, what is a broken heart and can it cause other illnesses or diseases? I am not in any form of medical field but I am a senior who has experienced and seen many relationships deteriorate and the result has been disastrous. Also, I have experienced or observed the broken hearted people as a result of accidents or disease.
John’s story…This is not his real name but this is a true story. John and his wife were teenage lovers, who married and had two children. They were a family. They had many friends and his wife was a beautiful lady who loved people and could make people comfortable and make them laugh.
Then it happened. It was not sudden but John and other family members realized that his wife was having memory problems and forgetting. She would forget to pickup her children, forget to cook meals and her home became untidy. It could not be what they expected as she was only in her mid forties.. But it was. She had dementia or alzheimer’s. John was devastated. He looked after her for over ten years, until he had to put her in a nursing home.
His world fell apart. We tried to support and encourage him. He went for counseling. However, his heart was broken and there was nothing anybody could do. He made excuses to stay away from his friends and family and finally he moved to another part of the country. Trying to find peace, he began to drink heavily and started a new relationship. His wife was still alive. This was not the John we knew.
John still worked, somehow but he drank and his friend left and gave him an ultimatum as we were told, to stop drinking or she was out. She left for a holiday and the family did not hear from John for a few days. His car had not moved so they called the police and they found John deceased. The autopsy report may have shown a physical reason for his death but it began with a broken heart.
John was my friend and my wife’s brother-in-law. We have lived through this story over a period of twenty years. His wife passed away a few days ago and will be laid to rest today Feb 7,2024.
The definition of, what is a broken heart.. this term is used in reference to a state of extreme grief or sorrow, typically caused by the death of a loved one or the ending of a romantic relationship: While it’s not a medical diagnosis, the feelings associated with a broken heart can manifest in various physical and emotional symptoms.
Here are some common symptoms:
- Intense Sadness: Feeling deep and persistent sadness is a hallmark symptom of a broken heart. This sadness may be overwhelming and difficult to shake off.
- Crying Spells: Experiencing frequent bouts of tears or uncontrollable crying is common when dealing with a broken heart.
- Loss of Appetite or Overeating: Emotional distress can affect appetite, leading to either a loss of interest in food or seeking comfort in overeating.
- Difficulty Sleeping: Insomnia, frequent waking during the night, or disturbances in sleep patterns are common when dealing with emotional distress.
- Fatigue: Emotional pain can drain your energy levels, leading to feelings of fatigue or lethargy even after a full night’s sleep.
- Physical Aches and Pains: Many people report experiencing physical discomfort, such as chest pain, headaches, or stomachaches, when going through heartbreak.
- Difficulty Concentrating: It’s common to find it hard to concentrate on tasks or remember things when dealing with emotional pain.
- Loss of Interest in Activities: Activities once enjoyed may lose their appeal, and there may be a general sense of disinterest in hobbies or socializing.
- Isolation: Some individuals may withdraw from social interactions and prefer to be alone as they cope with their emotions.
- Feelings of Guilt or Worthlessness: Individuals may blame themselves for the breakup or feel unworthy of love, leading to feelings of guilt or low self-esteem.
- Anger or Irritability: Feelings of anger towards oneself or the person who caused the heartbreak can arise, leading to irritability or outbursts of anger.
- Anxiety or Panic Attacks: The uncertainty and emotional turmoil of a broken heart can trigger anxiety or panic attacks in some individuals.
- Physical Heartache: Some people describe feeling an actual physical sensation of pain or heaviness in their chest, which they attribute to emotional distress.
- Numbness: In some cases, people may feel emotionally numb, as if they’re disconnected from their feelings or unable to experience joy.
- My friend John had many of those symptoms, in addition he tried to cure it through heavy alcohol use. Some people may turn to drugs.
Those symptoms can vary in intensity and in duration from person to person. While experiencing these symptoms is normal, during a period of grief, if they persist or interfere significantly with daily functioning, it may be helpful to seek support from friends, family, or a mental health professional.
Please, please force yourself to seek help if you are feeling broken hearted. God can help heal a broken heart.
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