How to Fix a Broken Heart

By: Dr. Guy Winch

Narrated by: Guy Winch

Length: 2 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's Summary

Imagine if we treated broken hearts with the same respect and concern we have for broken arms? Psychologist Guy Winch urges us to rethink the way we deal with emotional pain, offering warm, wise, and witty advice for the broken-hearted.

Real heartbreak is unmistakable. We think of nothing else. We feel nothing else. We care about nothing else. Yet while we wouldn't expect someone to return to daily activities immediately after suffering a broken limb, heartbroken people are expected to function normally in their lives, despite the emotional pain they feel. Now psychologist Guy Winch imagines how different things would be if we paid more attention to this unique emotion - if only we can understand how heartbreak works, we can begin to fix it.

Through compelling research and new scientific studies, Winch reveals how and why heartbreak impacts our brain and our behavior in dramatic and unexpected ways, regardless of our age. Emotional pain lowers our ability to reason, to think creatively, to problem solve, and to function at our best. In How to Fix a Broken Heart he focuses on two types of emotional pain - romantic heartbreak and the heartbreak that results from the loss of a cherished pet. These experiences are both accompanied by severe grief responses, yet they are not deemed as important as, for example, a formal divorce or the loss of a close relative. As a result, we are often deprived of the recognition, support, and compassion afforded to those whose heartbreak is considered more significant.

Our heart might be broken, but we do not have to break with it. Winch reveals that recovering from heartbreak always starts with a decision, a determination to move on when our mind is fighting to keep us stuck. We can take control of our lives and our minds and put ourselves on the path to healing. Winch offers a toolkit on how to handle and cope with a broken heart and how to, eventually, move on.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

©2018 Guy Winch (P)2018 Simon & Schuster

Well written and thought provoking!

I was really captivated by this book. It not only validated feelings I had about heartbreak, but offered logical and compelling strategies for healing. The concept of disenfranchised grief is well explained by the author. It’s something I never associated as to why short term romantic heartbreaks were just as painful as the loss of a loved one. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for answers or to be healthy after a heartbreak.

8 people found this helpful

I wish I had learned this when I was growing up

My first relationship happened by the age of 30, being gay and with a terrible self esteem. When it ended at the age of 32 I was devastated. I had just lost my companion which I shared so many activities from backpacking, gaming, going out, traveling and exercising with. With it I was thrown back into the dating scene with my self criticism and had no idea of how to move on. How to fill the gaps where we shared so much and where he gave me support. After listening to the audio book I now have the tools to move on. It will not be easy, but now I know what I must do. Not only search new friends and activities but also and maybe the most important, remove my low self esteem. Thank you for writing the book and sharing your thoughts on the topic!

8 people found this helpful

A must read or just listen :)

If you are having a difficult time with everything after a breakup I suggest you to read or listen to this. It has been 6 months I still miss her yet I do what I can to move on and this book helps me know that there is better out there for me and to become the best version of myself. For anyone who is reading this I wish you the best n lots of love remember your not alone!

2 people found this helpful

new perspective

focused on broken hearts from relationships and loss of a pet. But the information can be translated to many areas easily. It's a fresh perspective that's not too clinical and not too touchy feely.

2 people found this helpful

Very inspiring words

Honestly, I’ve been suffering for about 9 months after my 3 year relationship ended. This book gave me some good key insight I would have never gotten. Now to put those words into actions and continuously push forward.

1 person found this helpful

Very In Depth Look That Cured Me.

I learned a lot from this book. I can view my life honestly, and understand my emotions more. I also learned that my addiction, to anything, was a manifestation of me avoiding fear created by my father from a young age. This was the missing piece that completed my self searching, and I honestly feel like Ive graduated from my mind. Of course theres still much to learn, but im finally able to find where it was that I was lacking mentally, where my weaknesses were and address them.

Life is so fucking beautiful.

1 person found this helpful

Great stories very less insight on how tos

great content and stories. I hoped there was more information, guides and practical examples on how to fix a broken heart. how wholehearted people deal with heartbreaks etc.

I enjoyed his ted talks far better.

1 person found this helpful

breakups suck. dr winch helped.

such a great book. truly helped me find the tools to mend my heart. thanks.

1 person found this helpful

extremely basic, and pet focused.

Finished it only because I knew it was short. Didn't give much insight. and could have been summarised in 15min

I understood... until the prologue.

I’m 71 years old. In my life, I have gone through LOTS of “emotion” with dating etc. It’s part of life. I was NOT coddled in the workplace. If people are coddled at work due to their “emotions” the job would not get done. I learned to toughen up emotionally, not fall apart and work through it. My generation did not have the luxury of being totally self absorbed in emotions. We were too busy making a living. I handled it as I dare say millions of others do without falling apart and not being able to attend class or go to work. So I disagree with the author on his epilogue statement.

Targeted help for a broken heart

I’ve just listened to this book following my heart being broken. I gave everything to the relationship and so the pain is raw and intense. I will probably need to listen many times to this great book. It does help and I can relate to the examples Guy discusses and the different stages and steps that occur and need tackling. The Social Media aspect is vital and as much as it hurts to cut ties I understand that Guy’s advice is totally correct. You need to have the courage and strength to carry such measures out despite the pain it will initially bring. The book was well read and well paced. I will listen to this book many times and especially when I’m feeling terrible about myself and need support. Thank you Guy Winch for this book and the help it provides.

2 people found this helpful

Short and sweet

Not very much in depth but the stories shared are really useful. Basically you have to do mindful meditation, cut off all contact from your ex such as social media n start to move on even if you are not totally ready. Thank you for this work. Hope you can do a more in depth version.

1 person found this helpful

Invaluable listening!

This book has helped me identify so much of my own heartache behaviours and helped me feel positive about a route forwards
Would definitely recommend to those suffering from The despair of heartbreak

1 person found this helpful

Cathartic and Practical

Speaks unspoken truths of the brokenhearted. Cathartic and practical at the same time. Highly recommended.

1 person found this helpful

Love this book

I really loved this book. It showed me that I was not alone and the steps i can take to recover. I was rejected 4 years ago and suffered emotionally. Every now and then I would check her social media and damage myself emotionally more. I love the example in this book of a patient who ruminate over his high school lover 20 years ago. I have realised that what I'm going through is emotional pain and am now following the steps to recovery.

1 person found this helpful

I enjoyed it.

Sometimes it was a bit pedestrian specifically the last chapter but I liked it overall. A nice wake up call to be more compassionate.

1 person found this helpful

Not helpful at all

Didn’t really help with the broken heart! The stories are so long which is almost all the book.

1 person found this helpful

Soothing and informative

The stories really brought the science to life. The writer did a Ted talk which is how I heard about book, and so he's pretty good at performing, I thought it was well read. Helpful too.

1 person found this helpful

Helped me a lot.

Watched the author give a TED talk which I found useful but this goes into much more detail

The author provides thoughtful, insightful, sympathetic but importantly instructive guidance to those trying to resolve difficult emotional situations.

I wish I hadn’t had to find this book but it has been a help.

1 person found this helpful

the right message, at the right time

A gentle, necessary and beautifully executed guide to working though emotional pain and grief.
if you've ever needed to hear unbiased words of wisdom at your lowest point, they are here. I loved it.