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.

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!

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!

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.

breakups suck. dr winch helped.

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

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.

listen to this if you are struggling!

This book was enormously helpful for me because it validated all the things that I am currently feeling and doing and my personal quest to heal my heart. I also thoroughly enjoyed understanding the science behind it all and knowing that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Having concrete tasks to help us in the process of moving forward is such a wonderful way to emotionally heal, so I really loved learning about that.
I am also a veterinarian, which further helps me in my work when people are absolutely devastated over losing their pets. Luckily, I have already understood them fully, which makes it easy to help them in their path to recovery. This book now confirmed what I have always preached: For those individuals who struggle because they are scared they are replacing their 4-legged friend, I can attest to the fact that they WILL be healed by a new friend and their life. This is imperative and 100% helps. Every time! :))

Review

Very educational however there were no examples of a straight male with a broken heart. Only female broken heart and a gay person and guy with a lost pet... I assume there are straight guys who have broken heart as well. I wish there were some examples on that!

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.

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.

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.

Cathartic and Practical

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

Not helpful at all

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Gives valued insight.

It has been a great help in understanding in the complexities of my pain. 18mths ago my 7yr relationship ended and 10mths ago my beloved pet of 19yrs was put to sleep in my arms. Heartbreak on top of heartbreak. It has made me understand clearer and has started me on the path to dealing with my deep sadness and heartbreak.

I just wish it had been longer and that it came with a free session with Guy Winch haha. What it has also done is to reignite the thought for me to seek a therapist to help me start on the road to recovery.