The loss of the most significant person in our life causes us to experience distress, and in the early stages of relationship loss, this distress compounds. This is because our natural reaction when our partner isn't physically or psychologically present to meet our needs is to “up” the distress.

What is the hardest stage of a breakup?

Denial. The denial or bargaining stage is when you're having a hard time acknowledging that your relationship is over.

Why are breakups so painful?

"Research has shown that regions of the brain that get activated in response to physical pain also get activated in response to a breakup. Whether we've broken a bone or gotten dumped, many of the same underlying neurological structures are involved. This translates to the conscious experience of being in pain," Dr.