After his divorce from Reena Dutta, actor Aamir Khan opened up about how deeply the separation affected him emotionally. In an interview, he mentioned, “When Reena and I separated that night, I completed a whole bottle of alcohol, and for the following 1.5 years, I drank on daily basis. I by no means slept. Essential behosh ho jata tha daaru peeke (I used to move out after consuming alcohol). I used to be attempting to kill myself.”
At a time when his profession was hovering, after the discharge of his superhit movie Lagaan, he shared how isolating that have really was. “I used to be not even working then. Neither did I care to satisfy anyone. The identical 12 months, ‘Lagaan‘ launched and a newspaper article known as me ‘Man of the Yr, Aamir Khan’. I discovered it very ironical,” he informed The Lallantop.
Regardless of public acclaim {and professional} success, Khan admitted to withdrawing from individuals and turning to alcohol to flee the ache. The distinction between his internal world and outer success is a reminder that emotional struggles don’t all the time look the best way we count on them to.
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How frequent is it for people to show to substance use after a painful separation, and what are some early indicators that somebody is perhaps struggling?
Psychologist Rasshi Gurnani tells indianexpress.com, “I usually see individuals turning to substances like alcohol or medication after a painful separation, not as a result of they need to turn out to be addicts, however as a result of they’re merely attempting to numb the overwhelming emotional ache. It’s extra frequent than we expect. Individuals who seem ‘tremendous’ on the surface would possibly truly be silently crumbling inside. They may overcompensate by maintaining busy, partying extra, or changing into additional social — when in actuality, they’re avoiding sitting with their emotions.”
She provides that early indicators embody “withdrawal from shut relationships, adjustments in sleep or urge for food, temper swings, or perhaps a refined sense of disconnection from issues they as soon as loved.” These would possibly appear to be character shifts, however they’re usually misery alerts that go unnoticed.
When emotional numbness begins to interchange coping
When Aamir Khan mentioned he felt like he was attempting to kill himself by means of consuming, Gurnani says, it displays a really actual and harmful emotional numbness many expertise. At this level, the purpose is now not therapeutic however escape — and that’s the place issues can spiral.
“If somebody you’re keen on begins to close down emotionally, keep away from speaking about what’s occurring, or begins exhibiting self-destructive conduct (even passively), it’s essential to softly intervene. Don’t choose — pay attention. Assist them join with a therapist, keep current with them of their silence, and encourage them to specific their ache fairly than bury it. Typically, simply having one particular person really see and acknowledge their struggling can shift the course,” stresses the professional.
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Can emotional trauma throughout main life occasions impression skilled efficiency or inventive output in surprising methods?
Emotional trauma like divorce can completely impression somebody’s creativity, readability, and work ethic. Gurnani explains, “The particular person would possibly discover themselves uninspired, anxious, or just unable to attach with their very own work. On the floor, it might really feel like laziness or burnout, however it’s usually a symptom of deeper emotional unrest. Rebuilding focus begins with giving your self permission to grieve. That grief should be processed — not prevented.”
As soon as acknowledged, therapeutic usually brings readability. That is the time to return to the ‘why’ behind one’s work, reconnect with the unique objective, and create a routine that blends emotional care with small wins. In moments of chaos, regaining construction, irrespective of how fundamental, may help an individual slowly return to themselves.
