Addicted to Love?

"While love is considered the most profound of human shared emotions, limerence, in a nutshell, is an individual state of involuntary obsession with another person. The term, coined by psychologist Dorothy Tennov in her 1979 book, Love and Limerence, is most often, though not exclusively, associated with romantic infatuation and obsession, as well as a desire for connection."

"This obsession often has little to do with reality, is mostly or entirely one-sided, and has little or no chance of developing into a healthy, functional relationship. Though limerence is neither a disorder recognised in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) nor a clinical diagnosis, it is a concept that has gained interest in recent years."

Limerence, a term coined by psychologist Dorothy Tennov in 1979, describes an involuntary state of obsession with another person, distinct from genuine love. While love represents a profound shared human emotion, limerence is an individual condition typically associated with romantic infatuation and obsession. This obsessive state often bears little connection to reality, is predominantly one-sided, and rarely develops into healthy relationships. Though not recognized as a clinical disorder in the DSM-5, limerence has gained increasing research interest. Understanding its symptoms and impacts is essential for individuals seeking to break free from this state and regain control over their emotional well-being.

Read at Psychology Today