If seeing an ex brings up painful memories, is that a sign that you still have feelings or is it your brain protecting you from getting hurt again?

[StingRayxoxo]

What do you think?

[Iwant2kno]

I think that is why it’s important to close relationships in good terms. But if you experience pain, regret or sadness then I’ll think that relationship and sounds were never closed. That’s why you experience and associate those painful feelings when you see that person again. Is important closing relationships in good terms, not for them but for yourself.

[Iwant2kno]

Thank you for the MHO! 😃👍🏼

[HOAAH]

My brain trying to protect me from getting more hurt.

[lightbulb27]

sounds like emotions brought up. could be protection, means that emotional hit is still there. can't get rid of memories, can re-process them to a different light so they don't have power.

[Logorithim]

Id imagine it's a defense mechanism, something similar to your hand feeling pain when exposed to very hot water.

[StingRayxoxo]

That's was I was thinking too.

[Finchie40]

An ex is just a part of your life , the memories u had with that person flashes right before your eyes but when u think about way u broke up with them in the first place that should be your reason hot to even think about getting back together with them

[RussianNestingDoll]

Admittedly I’d rather hide than see one. It’s happened before and made me feel sick physically and emotionally. It’s ok, however if I see them from across the room and we ignore each other. I don’t want them staring at me, trying to ring me up or talk to me. If I happen to see them with a downgrade it makes me feel better and want to laugh, shallow and mean as it is. Chances are they did something very bad to be an ex in the first place. I don’t wish to speak to them and lie in my own vomit.

[NineBreaker]

Could be either. It depends on the nature of the relationship or breakup. Some exes are particularly awful, and you have painful memories from your experience with them.

Sometimes it is because of regret; not because they were really bad.

Breaking up is usually tough.

[Grond21]

Of course you still have feelings for them, but it doesn't mean you are still romantically attracted. It could be that the feelings you have for them are simply painful. Maybe the breakup was bad, or resentment grew afterwards. Either way, the pain isn't necessarily masking something deeper.

[loveslongnails]

"Getting hurt AGAIN" ? Are you getting back together just because you SEE your ex? No. You're just remembering why you split up. There's probably some good memories too. If you're worried that merely seeing your ex is hurt you again, I don't understand how it would, nor would you be really over them.

[Lance1965]

It really depends on the ex. It could be one of those things or a combination of both. You can hate a ex for something she did to you but still have feelings because you can't forget the good times you did have. Memories are a hard thing to erase.

[JimRSmith]

I don't really know the answer to that, but I'm going to say that it means that there are still some feelings there.

I know I've seen some exes and felt nothing.

[Secret6620]

I think this could be strictly biology. People will always remember how you made them feel if they don't remember anything else about you. 💜🧞

[Miss_Savanna_Dry]

I think it's you feeling that pain all over again. Remembering how and why you guys ended and how it hurt and affected you.

[midnightmoon05]

I think both for many.
I will always have loving feelings regardless. I had that and it was so amazing..
Aside from when i pms

[markscott]

It may just be a reminder of the pain, not feelings for the person. Or it may dredge up emotions re. the past, but not really be feelings for him now.

[DiegoO]

No. Depending on how things went before and after the breakup, it's only a reminder of the negatives experiences you lived with your ex and of how undesirable it is for you to (now in the present) be vulnerable to those experiences.

[IndyGuy]

In my case, it's a protection to warn me "Hey you ! Remember why you are not together anymore!".

[GoodGuyBreakingBad]

Hell with me a ex is ex and i think when we go through
painful times with a ex it's hard to fall back in love with them.

[KawaiiKing]

I think it's probably different depending on the person. In my case, it's my brain protecting me from getting hurt.

[Izumiblu]

could by either depending on the reason for the pain.

[Philyouup]

Our brains are pretty good at identifying what hurts us and makes us sick.. So I think it's a defense mechanism. But you shoudl strive to get over it, because we own the power of who can hurt us,

[Dark93]

Protecting you fekin getting hurt again. If seeing then brought up good memories that's a sign of still having some feelings, but exes are exes for a reason.

[Peachbae]

I go through this sometimes.. But I guess it's a sign that u haven't healed and u stll long for love.

[motownplayer2000]

Can be a little bit of both.. depending on how bad the relationship/breakup was.. could indicate the triggers someone would have

[Drumlin2001]

Remembering past events and the emotions associated with them dosent mean you have the same feelings for someone

[Landshrk0068]

Some of both, how much of each you get depends on the person.

[pizzalovershouse]

usely just the bad tines with them that no 1 should have to put up with

[TheAceholeSupreme666]

Most likely the latter, being on your guard, but the former is possible, though less likely.

[StellarDrift]

Protection likely. Your brain senses a threat and wants to proceed with caution.

[Gugulethu3]

When we were dating i didn't love him so much he was not my type , so when I see him in public i just don't care his like a stranger to me

[Kayla45]

Probably both to be honest with you.

[SexyAshh]

I feel like its a mix of both

[bklynbadboy1]

Cause it is

[Samantha2448]

You still have feelings

[Andrew0478]

It's a sign that you haven't got laid in a while

[Monica82]

Once we’re over I’ll move on.

[bklynbadboy1]

I agree

[Ámayas_20]

The latter.

[Wowgirl30q]

No it's just sad

[Exterminatore]

Could be both.

[Jamie05rhs]

It's both.

[GreenGold1992]

It could be either

[TheCloud2]

non of them