The most common sign of having a crush is the feeling that you have a million butterflies flying around inside you when that special someone is around. It can also feel like your heart does a leap when you see your crush and you feel warm and giddy. Do you suddenly feel nervous but excited at the same time?
Neuroscience Behind Attraction
When we experience attraction or develop a crush, chemicals are released in the brain creating a stress and reward response. The first spark of attraction happens in the ventral tegmental area of the brain which produces the “feel good” neurotransmitter known as dopamine.
According to psychologists, crushes often last a few months, with a minor percentage developing into a relationship. This statistic may stem from the fact that many crushes are founded in infatuation instead of an attachment.
You might feel shy or giddy or maybe even shy and giddy all at once! Some people can't remember what they want to say when they see their crush. They feel speechless, or tongue-tied. Some kids might chase their crushes around the playground, call them on the phone, or tease them to get attention.
Despite the differences, Cacioppo told INSIDER it is possible for a crush to develop into a relationship. “With crushing, you're OK with the distance because you're not fully in it yet," Kolawole added. But if you begin to have shared, in-person experiences with your crush, an attachment system is created.
They Make Extra Effort To Talk To You
If your crush often finds excuses to talk to you like they text you to ask trivial things or stop a conversation with others to start one with you, then that could be a sign that they like you.
Sure, it might seem like dudes aren't riding that same crazy roller coaster of emotions that we are —but it turns out that they totally ARE. Over on Reddit's AskMen, guys opened up about how they really feel when they have a crush, and it sounds like they turn into piles of mush, too.
Make eye contact when you're talking to them, or hold their gaze for a couple of extra seconds when your eyes meet in the hallway. You could playfully tease them, or send a flirty text after school to let them know you're thinking about them.
One of the most reliable signs a guy is crushing on you is that he usually heads in your direction when he sees you. And he points his feet and gazes toward you. He may be shy and not always look you in the eye, but watch how his body is oriented.
When a guy likes you but is hiding it, he'll find reasons and excuses to talk to you. That way, he can use these instances as opportunities to get to know you better, but they're under the guise of him trying to get other information about a different topic.
First crushes may occur at any time, but generally start at around 10-13 years of age. They are an important step in developing normal and healthy romantic relationships, and provide opportunities to learn how to compromise and communicate.
Interest is the initial stage of having a crush. It starts with the locking of eyes and ends with butterflies in your stomach. You feel giddy as soon as you see them, and you are eager to know their name.
“A crush is a really intense infatuation with somebody,” says Crysta. “It's a very sudden onset of feelings about someone and it's normally almost 'loving' someone from afar.” Usually it's someone that we don't know that much about, outside of maybe what they look like or a couple of basic facts.
How Long Does It Take to Get Over a Crush? Mild crushes can fade within a few weeks. Serious crushes are generally limited to the early stages of a relationship, or two years if no relationship develops. If your crush lingers for longer than two years, it's technically classified as limerence.
While some crushes dissipate within days or hours even, others can last a lifetime too. So, yes, a crush can last for years, 7 or even lesser.