Grief is a natural response to any type of loss, including romantic breakups. It can be especially difficult when you lose a significant other, even if that person is alive and well.
It’s common to hear people say that breaking up is like dying.
And in some ways, it is.
Like death, a relationship breakup can be sudden and unexpected. Or it can come after a long period of decline, much like a terminal illness. Either way, it can bring on intense feelings of sadness, loss, and grief.
According to Adam Borland, PsyD, “Both experiences may create feelings of shock. You may feel a sense of disbelief immediately afterward. You are likely to feel a range of emotions — fear, anger, confusion and loneliness. Plans and goals you thought were set in stone may become uncertain, which can create anxiety.
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