What Is Obsessive Love Disorder?

Obsessive love disorder (OLD) is a condition where someone falls in love too intensely and obsessively. This can be harmful to both the person with OLD and their partner, since it can lead to unrealistic expectations, possessiveness, and even stalking. While there is no one-size-fits-all definition of OLD, there are some key signs that you or someone you know may be affected by it. If you’re worried about your own or someone else’s relationship, it’s important to get help from a professional.

What Is the Definition of Obsessive Love Disorder?

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Obsessive Love Disorder can be difficult to diagnose as it is not very well known. It has been linked with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder. This disorder usually affects those who are prone to anxiety, depression, or other mental illness.

People with this disorder will often experience intrusive and unwanted thoughts about their significant other which they feel compelled to act out on in order to “prove” their love for the person. These actions can include anything from stalking them at all hours of the day and night, buying gifts for them, making phone calls nonstop, or physically hurting themselves because of how much they love the person.

In recent times, some psychologists think that Adéle Hugo, the daughter of famous writer Victor Hugo, suffered from this disorder in addition to schizophrenia and erotomania. They call this situation Adéle Syndrome.

This article will explore what obsessive love disorder is and what you can do if you think that someone close has this disorder.

Is Obsessive Love Disorder a life-threatening disorder?

There is no definitive answer to this question, as the severity of Obsessive Love Disorder can vary greatly from person to person. In some cases, the disorder may not be particularly harmful, while in others it can lead to dangerous and even life-threatening behaviors. If you are concerned that you or someone you know may be suffering from Obsessive Love Disorder, it is important to seek professional help. Only a qualified mental health professional can diagnose and treat the disorder properly.

Symptoms involve an unwillingness to accept much time spent without that individual, intrusive fantasies surrounding the individual, and spending disproportionate quantities of time searching for, developing, or gazing at that individual’s photos. This article contains what is OLD, its symptoms, and treatment methods.

Some people with obsessed love disorder may not show it. In some cases, these symptoms may be present in the last stages of the relationship or when the person you are interested in rejects you.

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Here are some common behaviors of people who suffer from Obsessive Love Disorder:

  • Repeated messages, emails, and phone calls to that person
  • The need to continually resolve concerns about the existence of the other (and relationship)
  • Difficulty in making friends or bonding with family members due to obsession with a particular person
  • Observing the person’s continuous behavior
  • Checking the activities and places that the person participated

Causes Of Obsessive Love

There’s no single cause of obsessive love disorder. However, obsessive love disorder is linked to other psychological disorders such as the following.

Attachment Disorder

This group of disorders is attributed to people who suffer from issues of emotional dependence, such as lack of empathy or obsession with another person.

The types of attachment disorders can include Disability Social Engagement Disorder (DSED) and Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD). Both develop as a result of negative experiences with parents or other adults in childhood.

In DSED, you may be extremely friendly and may not receive a warning from your environment. But in RAD, you may experience problems with other people and feel stressed.

Borderline Personality Disorder

This psychological disorder is characterized by severe changes in a person’s mood. Borderline personality disorder can cause you to switch from an extremely frustrated state to an over-happy state within hours or minutes.

Delusional Disorder

When it comes to obsessive love, delusional disorder can create the delusion that feelings are mutual, even if the other person says otherwise.

Erotomania (Clerambault Syndrome)

It’s an obsessive love disorder and a delusional disorder. In erotomania, you believe that a celebrity or high social status person is in love with you. This can lead to harassment of those people: going to their homes or workplaces.

According to the Comprehensive Psychiatry, people who suffer from erotomania can often isolate themselves with only a few friends.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a combination of obsessive thoughts and compulsive rituals. They are severe enough to affect your entire day. OCD may also lead to a need for continuous approval in your relationships and may affect your relationships.

Obsessive Jealousy

Unlike delusional disorder, obsessive jealousy is a non-delusional deception that is perceived by the partner. This perception may lead to repetitive compulsive behavior related to deception. The form of these behaviors is more similar to OCD than delusional disorder and may cause a high degree of distress or devastating effect on the person’s daily functioning.

How to Treat Obsessive Love Disorder ?

A specific treatment plan for this condition depends on the underlying causes. On the other hand, this plan often coexists with a combination of medication and psychotherapy.

Drugs are also effective to regulate brain chemistry. This can alleviate the symptoms of the condition.

Psychotherapy will also help with all kinds of obsessive love. Sometimes it is also helpful to include the rest of the family in therapy sessions. This is especially true in childhood obsessive love disorders. Depending on your preference and the severity of the condition, you may involve in personal or group therapy. Sometimes your specialist can recommend both. 

A General Evaluation for Obsessed Lover

Obsessive love disorder is relatively rare, although it is very noticeable. It is estimated that less than 0.1 percent of people are obsessive lovers.

If you or your loved one has these possible symptoms of obsessive love disorder, you should see a doctor.

They can refer you to a psychiatrist to help you understand if you really have an obsessive love disorder. You may also be suffering from another psychological disorder.

Last Updated on December 11, 2022 by Lucas Berg

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