Does Limerence Lead to Stalking?

"Despite the popularity of Tennov's book, the concept of limerence has had little impact on academic psychology to date. Overshadowed by attachment theory and falling into the messy problem of definitions that bedevils love research (what exactly is the difference between manic love, passionate love, obsessive love, or addictive love?), limerence has not been widely adopted as an explanatory framework for early love experiences."

"But the emotional resonance of the idea kept limerence alive in popular culture. The advent of online communities led to a resurgence in interest in Tennov's work, with people sharing their own personal limerence experiences and attempting to make sense of what limerence means for the initiation and maintenance of romantic relationships. One perennial topic of debate is whether limerence is a state that some people experience as a natural part of romantic love or whether it is a disorder that is clinically concerning."

Limerence is described as a distinct cognitive state occurring in the early phase of romantic love. It features ecstasy and agony, mood swings between euphoria and panicked anxiety, and mental preoccupation focused on yearning for an ecstatic union. Symptoms include overarousal and an insatiable desire to form a pair bond with the beloved. Neuroscientific perspectives suggest one person can act as a powerful natural reward, producing addiction-like responses. The concept has had little impact within academic psychology, overshadowed by attachment theory and definitional ambiguities. Online communities have revived interest, raising debates about whether limerence is a normal state or clinically concerning, and some people conflate it with other forms of obsessive love.

Read at Psychology Today