Mashal Khan discusses the withdrawals of a broken heart

Actor believes grief causes physical symptoms

In an interview with Adnan Faisal, Mashal Khan shared that there are physical manifestations of grief, especially when it comes to relationships where love diminishes on one person's end. "There are always signs that someone doesn't care about you. You'll feel neglected, you'll feel left out in the cold. And I'll tell you what, no one deserves to feel like they are alone in a relationship. If you feel that way, leave," she urged.

Mashal believes that there's no rocket science to prioritising one's own wellbeing, though any difficult decision comes with its setbacks. "First day, you'll feel free. Second day, you'll feel sad. On the third day, your withdrawal symptoms will show up - like the very poisonous kind. You'll vomit, you'll have an upset stomach, you might even be admitted into a hospital. Because this is the kind of withdrawal you'll feel with any addiction. I've done a lot of research on this."

She observed that the extreme period of the pain lasts for about two weeks, during which a heartbroken person must hold fast. However, the process of healing is not necessarily linear. "You never stop caring about people. When you have loved someone [in the past], they will always be with you in some way, even if you have ended things with them. The pain is there but not at the level that makes you feel like you're dying."

The Suno Chanda actor admitted that she has personal experience in dealing with this kind of sorrow, adding that it doesn't just apply to romantic fallouts. "[There are] friendships, relationships, and even family members that are toxic to you. The pain of leaving someone is always the same, and I've faced the brunt of it in friendships."

Mashal feels that girls might be able to relate to her experiences. "The way that female friends will leave you out in the cold, even if you introduce them to your mother and start seeing them as sisters…"

And before you think otherwise, she doesn't prefer male friends either. "When you split from a male friend, you usually don't feel it as much because you're not emotionally attached to them. They don't have that capacity, and that is because of society. Men don't show themselves as vulnerable, which is another very sad thing."

Despite the tough experiences, however, Mashal has seen brighter days with her childhood friend Karishma, who she has known since they were babies. "She and I have been through everything together. Our friendship is an example that you can find a female friend [like that]. She is my soul-family."