heartbroken

Heartbroken is an adjective used to describe someone who experiences intense emotional pain and distress after a romantic breakup or other significant loss. The term conveys not only sadness but a sense of emotional numbness, longing, and vulnerability.

Common triggers include the end of a relationship, rejection, or the death of a partner or close loved one. Physical symptoms are not universal but may include tearfulness, insomnia, appetite changes, concentration difficulties, and social withdrawal.

Psychologically, heartache is often part of normal grief or adjustment. It can appear alongside depressive or anxious symptoms and may vary in duration. Most people gradually recover, though distress can become prolonged if support is lacking or if negative thinking dominates.

Coping strategies include seeking social support, talking with friends or a therapist, maintaining routines, engaging in self-care, and avoiding harmful coping such as excessive alcohol use. Activities that provide meaning or distraction can aid recovery, though it is important to acknowledge feelings rather than suppress them.

In language, heartbroken is a metaphorical expression rather than a clinical diagnosis. The related noun heartbreak refers to the experience itself or the state of having one's heart broken. In literature and media, heartbroken characters often serve to explore themes of love, loss, and resilience.