What are the signs of obsession in a relationship

What are the signs of obsession in a relationship

. Overwhelming attraction to one person.

. Possessive thoughts and actions.

. Intense preoccupation with a relationship.

. Threatening the other person if they leave.

. Extreme jealousy.

. Repeated messaging via text, email, or phone calls.

. Monitoring the other person's actions

People are hardwired to love. From infancy, we show a desire, a fundamental need, to be loved and nurtured. Countless sonnets, plays, books, movies, and songs espouse the glories of love and decry the heartbreak it can cause. These works romanticize obsessive love, but they can keep us from experiencing fulfillment and balance in real life.

Love can become an ailment in unhealthy relationships. It’s essential to recognize the symptoms of Obsessive Love Disorder.

What Is Obsessive Love Disorder?

Obsessive Love Disorder is a psychological condition that presents as an overwhelming, obsessive desire to protect and possess another person. Often an inability to accept rejection further contributes to an unhealthy love relationship.

Healthy relationships are caring and supportive environments where individuals can grow and thrive. Obsessive love is more about control and extreme thoughts and behavior.

Health professionals do not widely diagnose Obsessive Love Disorder. It doesn’t appear in the American Psychiatric Association’s “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.” But obsessive love can signal other mental health challenges. The specific causes are difficult to pinpoint, but many psychologists agree certain risk factors increase a person’s chance of having it.

RISK FACTORS FOR DEVELOPING OBSESSIVE LOVE DISORDER INCLUDE:

Neglect. Childhood neglect can hinder a person’s ability to form healthy attachments later in life. Neglect can create anxiousness, insecurity, or possessiveness surrounding relationships, which can worsen love disorder symptoms.

Abuse. Past physical or emotional abuse can result in long-term feelings of emptiness and pain. Love disorder symptoms seem to be a way to cope with a void created by past trauma.

Low Self-Esteem. Persistent feelings of worthlessness or lacking a solid sense of self can cause a person to blur boundaries to feel loved.

Borderline Personality Disorder. This mental health disorder impacts how you think and feel about yourself and others. It causes problems functioning in everyday life. It includes self-image issues, difficulty managing emotions and behavior, and unstable relationships. With BPD, you have an intense fear of abandonment or instability. You also may have difficulty tolerating being alone. It’s the most common disorder that co-occurs with Obsessive Love Disorder.

Erotomania. This rare delusional disorder may cause a person to believe that a specific person is their destiny. Obsessive love can intensify delusions of healthy or non-existent relationships.

Attachment Disorder. Insecure attachment styles develop during childhood. They can make people feel as if the “other shoe” is constantly about to drop. This feeling can cause obsessive and controlling behavior in relationships.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. People with OCD can develop a condition called “Relationship OCD.” It’s characterized by obsessive thoughts and behaviors toward their relationship.

What causes obsession with a person?

Trauma or experiences in childhood that lead to an insecure attachment style may lead to fear of abandonment. People with a fear of abandonment may develop obsessive tendencies. People may be fearful to be alone and they may make threats or take impulsive actions in order to prevent a partner from leaving.

Is my partner obsessed or in love?

If someone is in love with you, they trust you. They want you to be the best version of yourself and only want good things for you. That includes giving you space when you need it. On the other hand, someone who is obsessed with you will be jealous and possessive.