Forum Discussion: Love Addiction

Hi folks, and welcome to our forum discussion on love addiction. Many of us are familiar with the term, but what is it exactly?

Love addiction, or pathological love, is defined as a "pattern of behavior characterized by a maladaptive, pervasive and excessive interest towards one or more romantic partners, resulting in lack of control, the renounce of other interests and behavior, and other negative consequences (European Journal of Psychiatry, 2019). In other words, one's life is completely consumed by immature love.

Experts debate on the exact diagnosis criteria for love addiction. While some define it as an impulsive-control disorder, others believe it to be part of the obsessive-compulsive disorder spectrum. Some regard it similarly to behavioral addiction.

What are signs of love addiction?
Like other types of addiction, people display various signs of love addiction. These include:
Inability to control romantic fantasies and new relationships
At least six months of obsessing over romatic fantasties and new relationships
Emotional isolation
Despair when not in a relationship
Ignoring responsibilites while focusing on romantic pursuits or relationships

Treatment
Love addiction is commonly managed wth two forms of treatment: psychodynamic therapy (which address attachment issues) and cognitive-behavioral therapy (which challenges one's thoughts and perceptions on love). Certain symptoms like mood instability and lack of focus can be handled through medication. However, there is limited research conducted on love addiction treatment to fully determine which methods work best.

Now is the time to share your thoughts on love addiction. Feel free to also answer the following questions.

1. How would you define love addiction?
2. What are some coping habits one could apply to love addiction?



Sources:
1. What is Love Addiction?
2. Love Addiction 101

Tag list:
@1947treble @Ahmedeid0 @AJurn @amandalallen1978 @Ang0825 @apcalime @Azalia1109 @BemusedStorm @BeTheChangeYouWant @Blueavacado1053 @Bluedragonflies1 @BlueWhite1972 @Bookworm548 @Bravepanther99 @brightPlane3692 @brutalBiscuit @Cashew16 @cat0427 @catx831 @CharlyK @chassymom @Chickadee123 @colorado76 @ComingupforAir @Compassionate99 @Courtney5491 @CrimsondAngel @Daisy7cups @DallasTheDancer @dancingstrawberry34 @danieIIejs @diplomaticBeach8952 @DONOTBEAFRAID @downhillfromhere @Dramahkween @eisalive @Emmaleas @Evocate @Fantacy @FantasticDancer50 @fearlessPine2167 @feathersofhope @GC278 @goldenFields88 @Goldentriangle1234 @Grandmagg @greenNectarine3734 @hannahbanna93 @HelpMeCope @Hereintime @ImaMaia @IndependentCup2164 @IndigoRoses @InternalAcceptance @Italianbabe @ItsReganingRain @iwant2change @jadestones @Jennifer11 @jenstar523 @Jerms @JVS2121 @Kindheartedpanda31 @kurtkangas @lavenderpeach1107 @Lgeorgebtq @lovelyWhisper66 @MamaHippo @MangleTheFox21 @Marcos49001 @Meggcfranklin11 @Melliex3 @Michelle @mija123 @Mmills01 @MonkeyMind1 @NeedProfessionalHuggers @Novalis4u @ObssessedWithFire @overtherainbow17 @parisayano @Peterk1447 @Pluckydrum5184 @Poisonking @PowerofNow247 @prodigalprincess @RebelXena14 @resourcefulPond1641 @RickyBartlett @roseMelody95 @sabrinathetiger @SaltyBreeze @scissorsandgloss @sensitiveCircle3880 @serenak @Shhh123 @ShyCar @Snowcream @SparklingSnowflake15 @Supportivemango76 @SweetTortoise @Taylor73 @Tazzie @tony5795 @traylonely67 @Vampirecell5 @Weisseguy @Whenfishesflew @XenaKane23 @xoalexaox @Yourrecovery @YungSartre