Love is a deep and complex emotion characterized by care, compassion, attachment and a strong feeling of affection toward someone or something. Love addiction involves an healthy preoccupation with romantic relationships, often marked by compulsive behaviors and emotional distress when separated from a partner.
The signs and symptoms
Constantly thinking about the person, even when its not appropriate or healthy. Ignoring personal needs, hobbies and social connections outside of the relationship. Engaging in excessive or unhealthy behaviors to maintain the relationship eg. Constantly pursuing the partner or idealizing a toxic relationship.
Experiencing anxiety, depression or withdrawal symptoms. Difficulty and uncomfortable when being alone. Some do neglect other important aspects of life school, family and work for the sake of their relationship. Low self-esteem and reliance on the partner for validation.
Causes
Abuse, neglect, abandonment can lead to fear of unhealthy relationship patterns during adulthood. Feeling low self esteem may seek validation of emotional fulfillment through romantic relationships. Being a way of coping with feelings of loneliness and emotional distress. Exposure to additional behaviors.
Treatment
Seeking for the support groups like Love Addicts Anonymous which provide safe space for sharing their experiences. Family therapy helps address family dynamics and communication patterns. Psychotherapy also help individuals identify and address the underlying. Engaging in self-care activities. Medication may be used in chronic cases.
Cases
Russell brand a comedian, has shared his struggles with addiction issues concerning love. Kelsey Grammer an actor also spoke about his pattern of unhealthy attachment in romantic relationships. Sara a 32- year old professional felt an intense fear of being alone. Her friends noticed she prioritized her romantic interests over her career and personal goals. She was left feeling empty after being abandoned and began attending therapy to address her fear of abandonment.
As the society of today, we have to handle the problem at hand and help the young people against love addiction cases to reduce the number of cases. This may reduce the number of death cases among the youth as many do end up killing one another.
Unfortunately, many of the people who have this psychological problem are judged by the community instead of building their esteem to help them, so do end up getting injured especially in the universities. Support is needed to build a better future for the youth.
