Love addiction is often considered “less serious” than other mental disorders, namely compulsive sexual addiction, eating disorders or self-harm. Our culture traditionally glorifies love addiction with delusional happy endings such as “happy forever.” In fact, love addiction often gives roots to crimes such as suicide, murder, rape and domestic violence. What is addiction to love, and why are some people addicted to love? How can problems be identified, and how can those with addictions be helped?
Healthy Love vs. Addiction
Love addiction is often considered “less serious” than other mental disorders, namely compulsive sexual addiction, eating disorders or self-harm. Our culture traditionally glorifies love addiction with delusional happy endings such as “happy forever.” In fact, love addiction often gives roots to crimes such as suicide, murder, rape and domestic violence. What is addiction to love, and why are some people addicted to love? How can problems be identified, and how can those with addictions be helped?
The usual signs of addiction to love are consumption, obsession, dependence, lack of intimacy and extreme demand for devotion. The above symptoms along with overall emotional instability inevitably lead to isolation, heartache and loss. Of course, everyone faces difficult people or situations from time to time in their life. However, when this situation becomes the norm, of life over and over in some form or another, a diagnosis can be made. Like addicts, love, and sex addicts do not learn from their mistakes. Unrealistic hopes, dreams, and demands tend to destroy their relationship quickly and lead to patterns of disappointment and fear. As soon as possible after a breakup, love addicts will find other partners because they cannot tolerate loneliness. And even in the rush of new affairs problematic love or sex addicts grow steadily more unhappy, scared and bored and eventually push their partners away or look outside the relationship for other experiences of new intensity or “love.”
Are Love and Addiction the Same Thing?
Psychological imbalances and childhood attachment problems require professional counseling. Treatments and therapies for Love Addiction often include work trauma. It is important to free people who are addicted to love and participate in healthy relationships. Unlike the tranquility of substance abuse, sexual love or serenity can be described as abstinence from romantic or sexual activity that causes the person to feel embarrassed, secretive or that is illegal or abusive to another person. An example of such a plan might be not to date anyone who is married or in another relationship, who is abusive or uncommunicative and does not engage in sexual flirting, intrigue or seduction with strangers. It is recommended that former love addicts should not stop therapy. If you find you are in an addictive relationship, you may want to seek professional help. Counseling is available for those who deal directly or indirectly with this form of addiction.