Obsessing over a crush floods our brains with feel-good hormones, so it can be “a little addictive,” she says, and a hard habit to break. However, over-indulging in fantasy is not so great for a number of reasons, and it can be helpful to remind yourself of that next time you start fixating on someone.
If you're someone who spends too much time imagining that 'perfect' person and you want to break that pattern, psychologist Dr Jarrod White says you should first accept that this behaviour is normal. "It's something that a lot of people go through."
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.
This refers to when someone can't help but be infatuated with a love interest, to the point that they're obsessed with making sure their feelings are reciprocated. The term was originally used by psychologist Dorothy Tennov, PhD, in her 1979 book Love and Limerence: The Experience of Being in Love. Dr.
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.
It starts with a crush
That first spark of attraction ignites a region buried deep inside the brain called the ventral tegmental area, or VTA. Recognizing a potential reward in the making, the VTA begins producing a chemical called dopamine, often called the “feel-good” neurotransmitter.
If thoughts about your crush have become that intrusive, it is likely you are suffering with limerence. This is a mental state of obsessive infatuation that is characterised by intrusive thoughts that you just can't seem to turn off.
Emophilia is defined by a tendency to fall in love quickly and often, which is associated with rapid romantic involvement. However, questions linger as to how it is different from anxious attachment, which also predicts rapid romantic involvement.
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.
“Obsessive love disorder” (OLD) refers to a condition where you become obsessed with one person you think you may be in love with. You might feel the need to protect your loved one obsessively, or even become controlling of them as if they were a possession.
The intensity of your feelings.
If you want to constantly be around the person, and can't think about anything at all other than them, and you're desperate to message them…. that's probably a hyperfixation. You feel these things with a crush, but it's not as intense.
Limerence is a mental state of profound romantic infatuation, deep obsession, and fantastical longing. The experience can range from euphoria to despair.
Maladaptive daydreaming is a proposed psychological disorder, a fantasy activity that replaces human interaction and interferes with work, relationships and general activities. Those with this pathology daydream or fantasize excessively, assuming roles and characters in scenarios created to their liking.
You're in Love With Them.
Your heart beats faster when you think about them, and your stomach flutters when they call. You feel butterflies in your tummy when you imagine seeing them again. If there's someone stuck in your mind, it may be because you're in love with them.
Psychologically speaking, crushes occur when a person of any age projects their ideas and values onto another person whom they believe possesses certain attributes and with whom they want to be associated. Then, the person with the crush attaches strong positive feelings to this magical image that they have created.
Like touch, eye contact triggers the release of oxytocin. When someone is attracted to you, they subconsciously will try engaging in lots of mutual eye contact. They do this to feel closer to you, and because they are interested in you and what you are saying.
When you spend time with someone and share vulnerabilities, it's easy to develop feelings of closeness and attraction. These positive feelings can develop into a crush, even when the other person is romantically unavailable. Traits such as kindness, intelligence, and a great sense of humor can fuel a crush.
You might have trouble sleeping
Those feel-good crush-like symptoms may disrupt your sleep. According to a study of adolescents, when you're in those initial stages of euphoria, you feel more energized and positive in the early morning and evenings, causing you to not sleep as well, or have restless sleep. Dr.
A crush can quickly turn toxic if the other person is constantly criticizing you and judging your every move. And when this happens, it's easy to feel desperate and crave their praise and approval the more they withhold it.
You can't stop thinking about them:
But if you find yourself thinking about them too much that you can't even pay attention to any other important aspect of your life and anything remotely associated with them reminds you of them then this is a sign that you might be obsessed with your crush.