Losses that occur can cause us suffering and anguish. After a couple separation, it is possible that a feeling of emptiness persists that is difficult to cope with due to the importance that person has had for us. Emotions play a fundamental role in our personality and have a direct relationship with the way we use to bond with other people.
Despite all this, the truth is that these periods after a love breakup can generate various consequences that are manifested in our daily lives. Having concrete and relevant data related to this problem can provide us with tools that are useful to us. Do you want to know more about this? In this Psychology-Online article, we will provide you with information about what is emotional withdrawal syndrome and how to overcome it.
Index
- What is emotional withdrawal syndrome
- Phases of emotional withdrawal syndrome
- Symptoms of emotional withdrawal syndrome
- How long does emotional withdrawal last?
- How to overcome emotional withdrawal syndrome
What is emotional withdrawal syndrome.
When referring to the emotional withdrawal syndrome or heartbreak syndrome, we refer to thestage after the end of a love relationship with a couple.
Furthermore, this period has the quality of being marked by a feeling of emotional emptiness since the person has stopped experiencing the emotions that are linked to love. Due to these circumstances, the loss may cause sadness, anguish, anxiety, depression, among others.
Phases of emotional withdrawal syndrome.
emotional withdrawal syndrome is not a linear period, but has some phases that characterize it. It is important to take into account the particularities of each of them in order to know what process the person is in. The phases of emotional withdrawal syndrome are:
- Denial: When a love relationship ends, the first reaction is to deny that the breakup has occurred. Denial is a way of continuing the bond even though it does not exist in reality.
- Go to: once the person assumed that the separation has taken place, the emotion of anger arises. In other words, this lies in the fact that the situation produces anger because of the difficulty of accepting the loss.
- Negotiation: here prevail the fantasies referring to circumstances changing. At this stage, questions appear linked to hypothetical scenarios of the love relationship if the breakup had not occurred.
- Depression: when the person becomes aware that the relationship will no longer be restored, the feeling of emptiness and sadness arises. It is worth mentioning that this phase is transitory since it does not correspond to depression as a mental illness.
- Acceptance: after having gone through the feelings that the depression phase implies, finally the person can accept that her life can go by without the presence of the emotions that were at stake in the bond loving. When this phase arrives, it is possible to recover the sensations prior to the separation.
Symptoms of emotional withdrawal syndrome.
This problem is represented by a series of manifestations that arise both physically and emotionally and behaviorally. The importance of knowing the manifestations lies in being able to develop adequate strategies when dealing with this inconvenience. Symptoms of emotional withdrawal syndrome are as follows:
- Anguish.
- Anxiety.
- Difficulty falling asleep.
- loss of appetite
- Social isolation.
- Sadness.
- Concentration and memory problems.
- Need to contact the loved one.
- Catastrophic thoughts about life.
- Sickness.
- vomiting.
- Headache.
- Elevation of blood presure.
It is important to note that the presence of any of these symptoms does not necessarily imply that we are facing a picture of emotional withdrawal syndrome or heartbreak syndrome. Must be go to a professional to obtain a diagnosis that evaluates the characteristics of the patient taking into account their particularities.
How long does emotional withdrawal syndrome last?
The duration of the emotional withdrawal syndrome will depend on several factors such as age, sex, the intensity of the bond, the duration of the relationship and the resources that the person has to face the feeling of emptiness that implies the lost.
However, it could be said that the average time oscillates between six months and a year and a half. If symptoms persist for a longer time, it is important to see a mental health professional.
How to overcome emotional withdrawal syndrome.
Despite the complications that this problem implies, there are some ways to overcome it. In these lines, we will explain how to overcome emotional withdrawal syndrome:
psychological therapy
Therapy can help cope with heartbreak syndrome in a more pleasant way. In general, psychological therapy works with the emotions, thoughts and behaviors that cause the symptoms in people who suffer from emotional withdrawal syndrome.
In these cases, both short-term therapies and cognitive behavioral therapy such as long-term therapies such as psychoanalysisproduce beneficial effects for life.
Symptom identification
The recognition of symptoms is an important aspect of this clinical picture since it produces relief. Furthermore, knowing that the symptoms of emotional withdrawal syndrome are transitory can help you overcome the heartbreak syndrome.
development of strengths
Emphasizing the person's abilities allows for a strengthening of self-esteem. In this way, it is possible that the symptoms of emotional withdrawal syndrome decrease and / or disappear. To help you at this point, we recommend you read our article What is self love, its importance and how to build it.
If you found this post about emotional withdrawal syndrome interesting, take a look at our posts about How to get over a heartbreak and How to fall out of love with someone fast.
This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
If you want to read more articles similar to What is emotional withdrawal syndrome and how to overcome it, we recommend that you enter our category of Clinical psychology.
Bibliography
- Izquierdo Martínez, S.A., Gómez-Acosta, A. (2013). Affective dependency: approach from a contextual perspective. Psychology. Discipline Advances, 7 (1), 81-91.
- Kübler-Ross, E., Kessler, D. (2005). About grief and sorrow. Barcelona: Firefly.
