15 Signs Your Heartbreak Is Becoming Something More Serious

May 2024 · 1 minute read

There’s no normal timeline when it comes to healing from heartbreak, says O’Reilly. Klapow notes that may be typical to experience several weeks of intense distress, after which some of the more visceral feelings should start to subside. “If you can work, go to school, find the ability to laugh, smile, and experience some level of joy even for a short while within a month of the [breakup], it is running its natural course,” he tells Bustle. “Anything from three to four weeks that hasn’t moved forward deserves extra attention from a professional.”

That said, Parisi recommends checking in with yourself to see if you are able to keep up with your life. “If the answer is ‘no’ for any length of time, that would be a reason to seek help,” she says.

Experts:

Joshua Klapow, Ph.D., clinical psychologist

Jess O’Reilly, Ph.D., sexologist and ambassador for sexual wellness and sex toy brands We-Vibe, Womanizer, and Arcwave

Brennan C. Mallonee, LMHC, licensed mental health counselor

Erin Parisi, LMHC, CAP, licensed counselor

Teresa Solomita, LCSW, licensed clinical social worker

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7o8HSraOeZpOkunDDxKWjp52jqHy0tcanqmaxn6q%2FbrTEmqmtmqKarqx5yKxkm52TpLqqusZmqqillam1qrrGZqSoqpViwKa%2ByKisrA%3D%3D