One of the most challenging aspects of love is that it sometimes doesn’t stand the test of time. The effects of losing a loved one can be excruciating. The pain of a breakup, much like the loss of a limb, is difficult to bear. It can be devastating to pick up the pieces and move on after losing the person you love.
Whether you call it heartbreak or lovesickness, the outcome is the same: something is missing and it won’t return.
A study by Elite Singles found that when it comes to lovesickness, men seem to suffer more than women. Of the 95 percent of respondents who admitted to being lovesick at some point, 25 percent more men reported experiencing lovesickness than women after a relationship ends. But why is this?
Why men experience more lovesickness than women
According to psychologist Dr. Wiebke Neberich, the reason could be rooted in the fact that “women tend to initiate breakups more often, and men are more likely to misinterpret a woman’s interest, leading to rejection and unrequited love.”
Men and women may experience lovesickness differently, but they can agree that the most excruciating aspect of a breakup is if it’s due to another person. Eighty percent ranked this as the most painful cause of heartbreak, followed by feeling like a second choice (29 percent), family disapproval, and sexual issues.
Lovesickness is a genuine pain that can lead to emotional and physical problems. It’s not merely a breakup but a loss that can take months or even years to recover from. While the image of a woman drowning her sorrows with a tub of ice cream is common, everyone copes with their despair differently, and overindulging in comfort food isn’t always the top choice.
Most men (61 percent) and women (76 percent) turn to their friends for support during this challenging time. For women who prefer not to burden their friends, their top choice is to grieve alone (54 percent), while men prefer to keep themselves occupied (44 percent) until they recover. The list of coping methods for lovesickness includes, but is not limited to, grieving alone, working, and indulging in comfort food. And yes, revenge is also on that list.
See the infographic from Elite Singles below to understand how men and women deal with heartbreak.
Whether you’re currently going through a breakup, have gone through one in the past, or know it’s looming ahead of you, you’re not alone. Everyone experiences lovesickness at least once in their lives. Isn’t it comforting to know that others are navigating through the same emotions? Misery sure does love company.
How do you cope with lovesickness?
Amanda Chatel is an essayist and intimacy health writer for Yourtango, Shape Magazine, Hello Giggles, Glamour, and Harper’s Bazaar.
