Why Do Break-Ups Hurt So Much?

Yes, we've been dumped, in one particularly scarring instance. We moped around mourning this person for a solid year (so much for sophomore year of college). We cried a lot, our grades went down, we gained weight, we basically hated our life.

But why was it so terrible?

Scientists have found that the brain areas associated with the pain of romantic rejection are the same ones involved in reward, motivation, physical pain, craving and addiction. In fact, looking at photos of exes lights up regions of the brain that are activated in cocaine addicts' brains, Time magazine reported.

The lovelorn in the study also admitted to engaging in activities such as "inappropriate phoning, writing or e-mailing, pleading for reconciliation, sobbing for hours, drinking too much and/or making dramatic entrances and exits into the rejecter's home, place of work or social space to express anger, despair or passionate love." Yes, we can relate.

Have You Ever Been Devastated By A Break-Up?