What does it feel like to "miss" somebody?

[GoldenCondor]

I've been pondering this, when dating someone over and over again. They keep telling me "I miss you" and things along those lines. Through text, phone call, and even in person they tell me they miss me. The only proper response is "I miss you too", though, and there's a problem there. I don't MISS anyone. I don't really understand the point of this "emotion", or what it even feels like. I feel normal with a person, and without. Just better when the person is around.

Can anybody explain to me what "missing" somebody feels like? Because usually when I use a word, I have a feeling I should use it. Definitely not the case with the words "missing you". I also want to know if this has anything to do with us Russians having hearts as cold as the beets we harvest?

 

[BlumiereBleck]

Well sorry to say if you don't know what it feels like then you are emotionless. TO miss someone is to feel a pain in the heart!

 

[Ironic Pirate]

You want to talk to, or be near, someone, but can't. And then you feel annoyed, or sad, because you can't be near or talk to them.

 

[ajofflight]

Haha... Russians...
Seriously, I guess it feels kind of like a pit in your stomach, and you kind of feel like hugging your sides and screaming.
Maybe that's just me though?

 

[The Afrodactyl]

When you have not seen/been with a person, and have a strong yearning to see/be with/be near/hear their voice again.

That's what I take it as anyways.

 

[Plurralbles]

Lacking empathy or connection to people kind of sucks dude.

 

[Serenegoose]

I don't usually miss people either - the only time it happens is if I'm in the early stages of infatuation with someone and I want them around all the time - to me it feels like a twisting, pulling sensation along the width of my chest, almost physically painful, along with a general emptiness whenever they're not around. It makes crushes almost unbearable. >>

I've never missed a friend or family member, however. But that's what it feels like to me.

 

[Im Nightmare]

You want to talk to, or be near, someone, but can't. And then you feel annoyed, or sad, because you can't be near or talk to them.

This.

I have gone through these emotions every day since my dad passed away 2 years ago.

 

[GoldenCondor]

I don't usually miss people either - the only time it happens is if I'm in the early stages of infatuation with someone and I want them around all the time - to me it feels like a twisting, pulling sensation along the width of my chest, almost physically painful, along with a general emptiness whenever they're not around. It makes crushes almost unbearable. >>

I've never missed a friend or family member, however. But that's what it feels like to me.

Huh, this is about how it is with me. Whew, pretty happy i'm not alone haha.

 

[Jonluw]

It's when you feel you'd be happier if the person in question was there I guess.

 

[AceDefective]

Empty feeling inside
Most fill it with food or booze.

 

[Sir Galahad]

has anyone made a joke about shooting people yet? If not, I claim it.

 

[Serenegoose]

I don't usually miss people either - the only time it happens is if I'm in the early stages of infatuation with someone and I want them around all the time - to me it feels like a twisting, pulling sensation along the width of my chest, almost physically painful, along with a general emptiness whenever they're not around. It makes crushes almost unbearable. >>

I've never missed a friend or family member, however. But that's what it feels like to me.

Huh, this is about how it is with me. Whew, pretty happy i'm not alone haha.

It sometimes makes me feel a bit abnormal too, but what can be said? You can't feel what you can't feel, that's all there is to it. It's not good that you can't feel it, but nor is it bad. It doesn't make you soulless or anything.

 

[manythings]

Well to put it down mechanically missing a person is the sense of lacking created when that person is expected by your brains preset "Normal". Life without the person is normal till you meet them, the more they are around the more normal their presence becomes. When they are gone your adjusted normal highlights the fact that they are not present. If you are attached to a person positively you feel bad for their absence, conversely if you see them as a negative component in your life you feel relief at their absence.

 

[Zyst]

If you have felt strong Nostalgia towards something, it's a bit like that but with frustration, and less of the throat lock.

 

[GoldenCondor]

Well to put it down mechanically missing a person is the sense of lacking created when that person is expected by your brains preset "Normal". Life without the person is normal till you meet them, the more they are around the more normal their presence becomes. When they are gone your adjusted normal highlights the fact that they are not present. If you are attached to a person positively you feel bad for their absence, conversely if you see them as a negative component in your life you feel relief at their absence.

Interesting, I can see what you mean and this is probably the best description out of all of these.

OKAY, what if I feel like that right after being with the person, then over night or the next day I feel normal again. Does that just mean I let go easily?

 

[MajorLandmark]

I think it's the beet harvest thing.

Missing someone can range from regularly noticing their absense, and being reminded of things they do but aren't there to, to almost depair. A sense of adventure aside, people like familiarity. Missing someone is part of an almost ironic evolutionary loathing of change. Wanting to be with someone you love is also a similar extension of the need to feel safe and on a subconcious level their absense reminds you of the potential of losing them and the safety they represent.

Little bit too much attatchment psychology perhaps but I couldn't bring myself to say something cute. Damn;

One day you will find someone who lights up your life in a way you never imagined possible and you will literally ache when they are not around.

Edit - Having read the posts since I started writing... I'd like to make the broad (and wonderfully stereotypical) suggestion that you perhaps didnt/dont get on well with your parents. Attatchment is something ingraned from brith and developed fully at an early age as a way of trying to ensure a parents love and protection.