Recent research suggests that romantic love can be literally addictive. Although the exact nature of the relationship between love and addiction has been described in inconsistent terms throughout the literature, we offer a framework that distinguishes between a narrow view and a broad view of love addiction.
Causes of love addiction
Experts explain that people who experience feelings of love addiction may be dealing with issues of childhood trauma and fear of abandonment. Gaba says that those with a history of trauma may be people “who might have grown up in a family where their parents were emotionally unavailable.
I believe love is mutual self-less giving that is based on a deep trust. The characteristics of addiction are craving of a person, severe mood swings if unable to feel secure in the relationship, inability to function normally, obsession of your partner and severe withdrawal symptoms if your lover leaves you.
Overcoming love addiction on your own can be challenging. It's best to seek professional help. Treatment will help you identify the causes of your love addiction, learn what triggers your behaviors, and teach you how to cope with any unhealthy thoughts or feelings.
Ignoring your partner's boundaries, and abusing, controlling or manipulating him or her (including people-pleasing or rescuing) are signs of addiction. Using sex or a relationship to cope with emptiness, depression, anger, shame, or anxiety is a sign of addiction.
They often have unhealthy fixations with their partners and seek to control them. Like with other forms of addiction, a person who is addicted to love may exhibit behavior and impulses that are out of their control.
With care and understanding and therapy-based treatment, even the most obsessive love addict can enjoy a healthy and fulfilling romantic relationship.
Some withdrawal symptoms can be anxiety, nausea, changes in weight, and depression. According to Psychology Today, “Levels of phenylethylamine (PEA) — a chemical in the brain involved in the euphoria that comes with falling in love — rise with feelings of infatuation, boosting euphoria and excitement.
Addictions come in many forms. An addiction to a person involves obsessive thoughts about the relationship, feelings of hope, anticipation, waiting, confusion, and desperation. Addictive relationships are toxic and very powerful.
Obsessive love may be a sign of a serious mental health condition, and without treatment, it may be destructive to friendships and relationships. It could also lead to other serious mental health concerns for anyone involved.
Typical signs of love addiction include: Mistaking intense sexual experiences and new romantic excitement for love. Constantly craving and searching for a romantic relationship. When in a relationship, being desperate to please and fearful of the other's unhappiness.
The love addict's experiences intense emotional withdrawal from the fantasy and experiences depression, rage, panic and shame. The love addict experiences boundary failure, dependency, and has problems containing self in moderation.
Love: Relationship deals with all aspects of reality. Toxic love: Relationship is based on delusion and avoidance of the unpleasant. Love: Self-care by both partners; emotional state not dependent on other's mood. Toxic love: Expectation that one partner will fix and rescue the other.
Many people describe being in a toxic relationship as being addicted to drugs — that's how problematic and controlling it can be. Many people are addicted to toxic relationships because of various factors like codependency, insecurity, or trauma bonds.
The fear of rejection, loneliness, retribution, abandonment, change, or even making the wrong decision are all valid reasons that someone might give for staying in a toxic relationship.
The brain plays a vital role in addiction, especially when it comes to relationship addiction. The brain spikes in dopamine and specific neurotransmitters stimulate the reward system the same way drugs do. The brain activity acts very similarly to that of a drug addict.
True love is a unique and passionate bond that connects you as a couple that wants the best for the other person regardless of what that means for them. It is the foundation for a healthy, loving relationship. True love is authentic and genuine.
Emotional Attachment may seem like love, but there is a difference. The biggest difference that many experts have identified is that love is selfless and emotional attachment is selfish. Selfish is not necessarily bad, but it is stating that you are in the relationship to get your innate needs met.
While love addicts require constant emotional reassurance and attention as proof of a loving relationship, the love avoidant person often feels that their love is proven simply by supporting their partner on an economic and physical level. For the emotionally avoidant person, love becomes an obligation.
Abstract. Objective: The pathological love is characterized by being a behavior of taking care and paying attention to the beloved partner in a way which is repetitive and careless of control in an amorous relationship.