Sorrow heartache

Heartbroken

Also known as broken-hearted

Strength 4 of 4

An overwhelming ache when love or a deeply cherished hope is lost, as if something at the centre of you has split and will not easily mend.

In the body

  • A deep, physical ache in the chest
  • Waves of sobbing
  • Little appetite or sleep

Needs behind it

When these needs aren’t met

LoveConnectionIntimacyMourning

Softer and stronger

  1. Hurt
  2. Crushed
  3. Heartbroken

Often confused with

Grieving

Heartbroken is the acute pain of love or a cherished hope breaking; grieving is the longer mourning of a loss, which can hold heartbreak along with much else.

Pining

Pining reaches towards someone absent and still hopes; heartbroken is the pain once that bond is lost.

See also

Lonely