How to fix a broken heart

Book Cover
Average Rating
Author
Series
Publisher
Simon & Schuster
Publication Date
©2018.
Language
English

Description

Imagine if we treated broken hearts with the same respect and concern we have for broken arms? Psychologist Guy Winch urges us to rethink the way we deal with emotional pain, offering warm, wise, and witty advice for the broken-hearted.Real heartbreak is unmistakable. We think of nothing else. We feel nothing else. We care about nothing else. Yet while we wouldn’t expect someone to return to daily activities immediately after suffering a broken limb, heartbroken people are expected to function normally in their lives, despite the emotional pain they feel. Now psychologist Guy Winch imagines how different things would be if we paid more attention to this unique emotion—if only we can understand how heartbreak works, we can begin to fix it. Through compelling research and new scientific studies, Winch reveals how and why heartbreak impacts our brain and our behavior in dramatic and unexpected ways, regardless of our age. Emotional pain lowers our ability to reason, to think creatively, to problem solve, and to function at our best. In How to Fix a Broken Heart he focuses on two types of emotional pain—romantic heartbreak and the heartbreak that results from the loss of a cherished pet. These experiences are both accompanied by severe grief responses, yet they are not deemed as important as, for example, a formal divorce or the loss of a close relative. As a result, we are often deprived of the recognition, support, and compassion afforded to those whose heartbreak is considered more significant. Our heart might be broken, but we do not have to break with it. Winch reveals that recovering from heartbreak always starts with a decision, a determination to move on when our mind is fighting to keep us stuck. We can take control of our lives and our minds and put ourselves on the path to healing. Winch offers a toolkit on how to handle and cope with a broken heart and how to, eventually, move on.

More Details

ISBN
9781501120121

Table of Contents

From the Book - First TED Books hardcover edition.

How the brokenhearted are abandoned
When hearts break, brains and bodies break too
The many mistakes that set us back
Healing starts in the mind
Making emotional pain visible.

Discover More

Excerpt

Loading Excerpt...

Author Notes

Loading Author Notes...

Similar Titles From NoveList

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for titles you might like if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
These books have the genre "society and culture -- psychology and human behavior"; and the subjects "interpersonal relations" and "coping."
These books have the genre "society and culture -- psychology and human behavior"; and the subject "emotions."
These books have the genre "society and culture -- psychology and human behavior"; and the subjects "love," "interpersonal relations," and "options, alternatives, choices."
These books have the genre "society and culture -- psychology and human behavior"; and the subjects "love," "interpersonal relations," and "intimacy."
These books have the genre "society and culture -- psychology and human behavior."
These books have the genre "society and culture -- psychology and human behavior"; and the subject "coping."
These books have the genre "society and culture -- psychology and human behavior"; and the subjects "emotions," "coping," and "social psychology."
These books have the subjects "interpersonal relations" and "coping."
These books have the genre "society and culture -- psychology and human behavior"; and the subjects "interpersonal relations," "coping," and "life change events."
These books have the genre "society and culture -- psychology and human behavior"; and the subject "emotions."
These books have the genre "society and culture -- psychology and human behavior"; and the subject "interpersonal relations."
These books have the genre "society and culture -- psychology and human behavior"; and the subjects "emotions," "interpersonal relations," and "coping."

Similar Authors From NoveList

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for other authors you might want to read if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
These authors' works have the genre "society and culture"; and the subject "interpersonal relations."
These authors' works have the genre "society and culture"; and the subjects "emotions," "love," and "interpersonal relations."
These authors' works have the genre "society and culture"; and the subjects "love," "interpersonal relations," and "intimacy."
These authors' works have the genre "society and culture"; and the subject "interpersonal relations."
These authors' works have the genre "society and culture."
These authors' works have the appeal factors moving, and they have the genre "society and culture"; and the subject "interpersonal relations."
These authors' works have the genre "society and culture"; and the subjects "emotions," "interpersonal relations," and "self-awareness."
These authors' works have the genre "society and culture"; and the subjects "interpersonal relations," "coping," and "self-fulfillment."
These authors' works have the genre "society and culture."
These authors' works have the genre "society and culture"; and the subjects "emotions" and "moods and moodiness."
These authors' works have the genre "society and culture"; and the subjects "interpersonal relations" and "change (psychology)."
These authors' works have the genre "society and culture"; and the subjects "love," "interpersonal relations," and "coping."

Published Reviews

Publisher's Weekly Review

Psychologist Winch (The Squeaky Wheel) outlines how heartbreak can impede daily life and provides tools for individuals experiencing emotional anguish. He focuses on two types of emotional pain that he believes are downplayed in society: romantic heartbreak and the loss of cherished pets. Winch argues that these experiences are often accompanied by severe grief but are generally not taken as seriously by society as the deaths of close relatives (for example, employers are more likely to offer bereavement leave for the death of parent than for that of a beloved pet). This lack of empathy is often reflected in the mind of the individual sufferer, which prolongs the healing process. In addition to highlighting the shortcomings of society's views on emotional pain, Winch gives advice to readers dealing with romantic breakups: avoid common setbacks such as blaming oneself for a relationship's demise or idealizing the other person. Most importantly, he preaches self-compassion. This tender book reminds readers to be kind to others and themselves. (Feb.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Powered by Syndetics

Kirkus Book Review

A psychologist presents case studies to show that heartbreak may be inevitable, but it need not be terminal.Too often, writes Winch (Emotional First Aid, 2013, etc.) in the latest addition to the publisher's TED series, society consigns heartbreak to the early pangs of teenage love and thus trivializes or dismisses it. Yet divorce or death can also leave hearts broken, with pain that is as debilitating as physical injuryand that pain can last a lot longer, and longer than it needs to. The author makes the curious decision here "to focus on two types of heartbreak that have much in common: romantic heartbreak and the heartbreak that ensues from the loss of a cherished pet." He does so because these are two areas where the support system is likely to be weaker than it would in divorce or the death of a spouse. Friends and bosses too often think that the heartbroken one should get over it and move on, long before the debilitation has lifted. If part of this book aims to underscore the seriousness of heartbreak, so that society at large may take it more seriously and extend more compassion, the self-help component suggests that there is plenty the victim can do to avoid prolonging the agony. Winch finds parallels between heartbreak and addiction, how wallowing in them can be so devastating to our well-being, how we continue to obsess over something that does us no good, how the vicious cycle perpetuates itself. "If your heart is broken, it will definitely take time to heal," he writes. "Buthow much time is up to you." Winch advises shortening the period of rumination by practicing mindfulness and letting go. The narrative transitions between losing a romantic partner and losing a pet can seem awkward and strained (separate chapters might have been better), but the pain and the cure for both can seem very much the same.A good starting point for anyone who wants to check out of the Heartbreak Hotel. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Powered by Syndetics

Publishers Weekly Reviews

Psychologist Winch (The Squeaky Wheel) outlines how heartbreak can impede daily life and provides tools for individuals experiencing emotional anguish. He focuses on two types of emotional pain that he believes are downplayed in society: romantic heartbreak and the loss of cherished pets. Winch argues that these experiences are often accompanied by severe grief but are generally not taken as seriously by society as the deaths of close relatives (for example, employers are more likely to offer bereavement leave for the death of parent than for that of a beloved pet). This lack of empathy is often reflected in the mind of the individual sufferer, which prolongs the healing process. In addition to highlighting the shortcomings of society's views on emotional pain, Winch gives advice to readers dealing with romantic breakups: avoid common setbacks such as blaming oneself for a relationship's demise or idealizing the other person. Most importantly, he preaches self-compassion. This tender book reminds readers to be kind to others and themselves. (Feb.)

Copyright 2018 Publishers Weekly.

Copyright 2018 Publishers Weekly.
Powered by Content Cafe

Reviews from GoodReads

Loading GoodReads Reviews.

Staff View

Loading Staff View.