Do you think you can be physically injured by lonliness?

[Anonymous]

They say people in relationships live longer lives. I'm sure there's a little truth in it, body chemistry changes for people in love and since people want to keep living for the person they're with and the pleasure the derive from their relationship they have more to live for.

Recently, though I've been wondering if the opposite was possible. I was in a situation with a girl that I thought was working out, but eventually didn't. The details are unimportant so suffice it to say that I was pretty sad about it, but got over it. Since then I've noticed I get this weird feeling in my chest similar to that "my heart skipped a beat" sort of feel, and it happens randomly so it's not really something I feel like is connected to stress or exercise, even though I'm not particularly sad now about the relationship failing, it feels like I've maybe done some actual physical damage to my heart.

Anyone think this is really something that can happen? or maybe it's just a weird effect that started after I worked out and didn't notice? Or maybe it's something else?

[xprincessxrenax]

Loneliness can cause stress and anxiety due to the isolation. These conditions are known to manifest physical conditions such as aches and pains (headaches or joint aches due to anything from over thinking to excessive crying or ill treatment to the body due to not taking care of it properly) or serious forms of mental illness. In short, yes. Also there is a condition that in effect proves on can die of a broken heart. link

[nermalinda]

Yeah, but you're not sick, your body is just expressing that it's stressed out by your sadness.

This is normal, and it's totally normal for people who are feeling emotional to have various physical sensations.

And yes, if you watch a funny movie every day, it will probably help.

[Happygoluckyboy]

Yes, everyone needs someone to provide comfort for them at some point.

[angelicmssngr]

I'm sure that stress is a factor to illness, and if you're stressed while being alone, it can play a huge factor in the demise of your bodies' ability to ward off disease.