When Love is Unusual; Obsessive Love Disorder

Sometimes, you see certain relationships and you are wondering if this is truly love or something else. Okay, fine, I am a big fan of love and romantic relationships, but there are some attitudes that certain lovers display, and you just feel like, "Oh my, this cannot be love at all.

So, let's see what science says about this thing that doesn't look like love; maybe it's something else. Ride with me, friends, and let's see the scientific approach or view to this love situation and when it gets too much.

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Actually, when love becomes so extremely intense that it looks like something that poses danger instead of the normal feeling of comfort and peace, science describes a situation like that as obsessive love disorder.

When you become so in love that you begin to think of another human as a possession you own and have the ability to control at will, then there is a problem and it may signify the presence of obsession.

Obsessive love disorder (OLD) is not a condition to be joked with, as it is often regarded as a mental health condition that comes with compulsive behaviors and obsessive thoughts.

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The causes of OLD can be attached to the existence of other mental health disabilities, the likes of which are

Attachment Disorders: This group of disorders is for people who have emotional attachment problems; this set of people often lacks empathy, or they get obsessed with other people.

Examples of attachment disorders are reactive attachment disorder (RAD) and disinhibited social engagement disorder (DSED).

Erotomania: This disorder intersects delusional and obsessive love disorder. In this situation, the affected person believes that someone famous or someone with a higher social status is in love with them.

Delusional Jealousy: Delusional jealousy, just like the name implies, makes affected people believe the things that are not true to be true. Delusional love makes you see obvious signs that someone doesn't care about you; sometimes they even say it with words, but you still believe that they love you.

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Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) combines obsessive thoughts with compulsive rituals. OCD is strong enough that it interferes with usual everyday lifestyle.

The mentioned medical illnesses above are situations that can accompany OLD. It creates an overwhelming attraction towards another, the creation of obsessive thoughts, having the need to extensively protect one's lover, extreme jealousy, and low self-esteem characterize OLD.

A person with obsessive love disorder would repeatedly send texts, mails, and phone conversations even when the act is not being reciprocated; they also have controlling attitudes, intentionally monitoring the movements of their lover.

Since obsessive love disorder is often a combination of other mental illnesses, then the treatment is dependent on the cause. It is, however, a combination of medications and psychotherapy.

Medications taken will adjust brain chemicals, therefore reducing the symptoms felt. Antidepressants, mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and anti-anxiety medications are often prescribed. Therapy is also in the form of talk therapy, play therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and dialectical behavioral therapy is suggested.

Obsession is certainly not love; they are completely different, as obsession could lead to the hurt of one of the partners, but love isn't like that. In fact, an obsessive lover requires urgent medical attention, so when you see a loved one displaying those traits, medical help has to be gotten immediately.

For Further Studies

https://www.healthline.com/health/obsessive-love-disorder#treatment

https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/what-is-obsessive-compulsive-disorder

https://www.healthline.com/health/obsessive-love-disorder

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/327098#causes

https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd/symptoms/

Hi, I am Tobi, a writer, speaker, relationship blogger, and lover of good music. I love making friends and learning from people. If you want to hear me speak about relationships and general life issues, you can find my YouTube channel where you can watch any episode for free, please do not forget to subscribe, friends. I sincerely appreciate every love I get from here, Kindly do well to keep them coming.