I’m a sucker for science so when I saw this article by Lifehacker – The Science Behind Why Breakups Suck (and What You Can do About It), I read it with great interest. I’m especially interested in their description of the physical response to rejection stimulated by the parasympathetic nervous system, as this relates to the PTSD-like symptoms that some experience after a breakup. It’s an interesting article which serves to validate the intensity of emotions after the end of a relationship and gives some tangible strategies to help the mind and body recover from the loss.
I would love to see further research on the impact of rejection and relationship trauma on the brains of previously healthy adult subjects. With my completely subjective and n=1 experiment, it seems like it can lead to long term changes in the brain’s ability to process.
What are your thoughts? In what areas would you like to see research?
Yes I want to know more! I luv the science stuff, I did a lot of research on love when I met and fell for my wonderful (new) man and have to say it was spot on.
I read the science article and would argue that rejection did immense harm to me, love, friendships, relationships, social standing, practical living – I lost my home, my finances, it was not exaggerated. Also that the negative effects can not be forgotten, if I waited for that to happen I would never have another relationship.
Thank you for addressing PTSD behavior as a result of divorce. I went through a very nasty divorce after 27 1/2 years of marriage which came to a surprise end (to me…not the ex). I often found myself considering that my reaction and subsequent behavior mirrored the descriptions I have read and heard relating to PTSD and while I found little pursuant to the subject on the Internet I contined to feel there had to be a corrilation. Your recent posts validate my belief and I truly hope more research is done on the subject in hopes that those of us reacting to divorce in this manner will be more accepting of ourselves in the aftermath of the war that is divorce.
Exactly! Although I’m sorry you relate…I kinda wish I was alone in this one.
Well my guess is there are many of us out there suffering and judging ourselves negatively. Thanks again for your efforts to bring this to light.
Reblogged this on Outside The Fish Bowl and commented:
Yup