Real-life love can be complicated stuff — and it’s never as simple as waiting for the love potion to wear off. That means you have an established self-identity loving an addict and don’t lose it in the relationship. You can work to get your own needs met but also know when to look to your partner for help and support.
Other signs you might be experiencing ‘love addiction’
- Like many other issues, codependency can become progressively worse without treatment and can last for a long time.
- Furthermore, lust for a partner can create obsessiveness as chemicals are released through sexual activity.
- Many people could find themselves in a relationship that induces feelings of love addiction.
- Not in any conceivable way — it was just too painful to imagine.
- Most people would love the opportunity to do something kind for someone else, particularly someone they care about and want to support.
- When coming to terms with loss or failed love proves challenging, this distress might linger.
While there’s no definitive research on this topic, psychologists do point out that love — or the pursuit of it — can be the root of other issues like anxiety, depression and unhealthy relationship patterns. There are several types of therapy and ways of accessing therapy. You may wish to consider speaking with a mental health professional who is able to help you develop a plan for reducing the impact of love addiction on your life.
Impact of Addiction on Trust and Communication
If you don’t feel like you deserve to be loved, seek professional help, either a life coach or a therapist. Understanding you are deserving of love, which we all are, will help you find and keep a healthy relationship. Love addiction can be complicated and can be difficult to treat on your own. If you or a loved one suffers from a love addiction, know you’re not alone.
Discover The Path To Healthy Relationships & Free Yourself From Codependency & Love Addiction
Although it was first discussed in the 1970s, it has not been well studied. Psychotherapist Jodi White has a podcast called “Journals of a Love Addict,“ which explores her own experiences of codependency. You can also check out Co-Dependents Anonymous if you want to learn more about codependency and codependent relationships. Outside of professional support, aiming to rediscover your individuality can be helpful. You can try spending time alone and pursuing individual interests and former hobbies. Reach out to friends and family to start rebuilding relationships separate from your partner.
- We’ll delve into the challenges of codependency, mental health issues, and the journey to recovery.
- Some researchers have termed love a “natural” addiction while emphasizing that it’s not necessarily a bad thing to experience.
- Other signs are more obvious, such as stalking a love interest or restricting who they interact with.
Signs and symptoms of love addiction
Lastly, the ambivalent (or avoidant) love addict avoids true intimacy. They can function as the one who holds on to past loves, engages in one-sided relationships (unrequited love), and can sabotage their relationships. Furthermore, they are addicted to the illusion of relationships but may run away or be inconsistent about getting close in relationships. Any of these models of love addicts can use sex to maintain unhealthy attachments, lie, manipulate, play out past relationship dynamics, or even threaten themselves or their partner if they decide to leave. Love addiction has more dependence on a partner in comparison to codependency.
Constantly Chasing the Euphoria of New Love? Here’s Why It’s Not an ‘Addiction’
Examples of ‘love addiction’
