Does heartache make you stronger?

Sean groans as he reads the question, tempted to bang his head on the desk. More navel gazing then...

But there's a trick to this question.
The answer seems obvious, but is it so?

Sure, heartache makes one stronger.. apparently.

When you're hurting you start to build a shell to protect yourself.
With each heartache the shell gets thicker and thicker, until nothing can hurt you anymore, because nothing can reach you.
The shell is bigger than the being it is supposed to protect, and so thick it becomes a prison.

So yes, the shell is stronger, while you are still the naked, vulnerable being you were before.