It may seem romantic in movies and television shows when someone says to the one they love that they cannot live without them and that they are all they have. In reality, though, it is very unhealthy to have an obsession with one person, especially if the feelings are not returned. It is important to learn to establish your independence and close yourself off from that person before your mental health worsens.
These behaviors signal the need for bipolar disorder treatment. Call us today at 855.478.3650 if you or a loved one needs help.
What is Obsessive Love Disorder?
Obsessive love disorder is when you are obsessed with someone you think you are in love with. It can entail being overly protective over that person which can mean controlling them. It can mean telling them where to go, what to do, what to eat, etc. Real love is respecting the choices of others and giving them space when they ask for it. If you do not respect a person’s boundaries, that is when your infatuation for that person becomes an unhealthy obsession.
The symptoms can include an overwhelming attraction to someone that takes over your thoughts and actions. It can also mean extreme jealousy whether they are spending time with someone of the opposite sex, friends, or family. You do not want the one you are infatuated with to share their attention with anyone but you. If the one you are infatuated with is spending time with someone else, this causes you to question that person’s motives or why you were not invited.
Obsessive love disorder can also follow repeated text messages, emails, phone calls, and many messages as to why there was no immediate response. With that one person being on your mind, it can mean that you’re willing to close off your friends and family just to devote all of your love and attention to the one for whom you have an infatuation.
Furthermore, you may feel like controlling where that person goes and dropping any commitments that can get in the way of you spending time with that person. With all of these obsessive behaviors, that person could refuse you, and you will still refuse to listen. As a result, there may be legal ramifications like a restraining order or being arrested.
What Causes Obsessive Love Disorder?
This disorder can be the result of a number of mental health disorders. Borderline Personality Disorder is when your mood switches from one minute being extremely happy to the next being extremely angry. This can make your relationship become unpredictable, where you act in love with someone to want to hurt them next.
Delusional disorder is when in your mind you think your love for someone is reciprocated and what may seem real to you is the opposite to others. Erotomania is when you think you are in love with someone who is famous or of high status which can lead to stalking that person. Obsessional jealousy and Obsessive Compulsive Disorders can also fall into this category as you need constant reassurance of that person’s trust.
Can This Disorder be Treated?
Obsessive love disorder can be treated. You can take medication like anti-anxiety medications like Valium and Xanax, antidepressants like Prozac, Paxil, or Zoloft, antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers. Medication should not be the only thing to rely on for this disorder as you need to find out the underlying causes of why you are obsessed with that particular person.
You should also think about your relationships. For example, did you receive love from your parents or your siblings as a child? It’s possible that you could be trying to compensate for those missing feelings in someone else.
Carefully identify your obsessive thoughts and behaviors:
- Do you look at your phone to see how many calls you made to that person?
- What things have you said?
- What makes you upset by that person’s actions when they reject you?
How To Begin Treating Yourself?
Write down everything you discover, such as:
- How that person makes you feel
- How you feel when they are gone
- What the causes of those feelings are
You can either tear or burn away your letter so that you can symbolically let go of these feelings.
Afraid of being alone? Then join a club or a class to meet new people. Or, give your friends and family some of your attention.
Anything that reminds you of that person, like photos or personal belongings you should get rid of. Remove any posts from your social media newsfeed. In fact, unfollow them all together. This way, you don’t have constant reminders of that person’s existence. You also avoid the pain of seeing them converse with others.
If you feel these thoughts coming on again, you can do something about it. For example, you could wear a rubber band and snap it to “snap out” of your unhealthy thoughts. That may sound silly, but it can work.
Find healthy distractions to avoid thinking of that person like:
- Reading a good book
- Listening to music
- Playing video games or musical instruments
- Draw or paint
- Exercise
Meditative breathing can be helpful as well by inhaling for four seconds, holding for another four seconds, and then exhaling for eight seconds. Visualize yourself in a place where you feel calm and serene. For example, when you go to the beach, you feel the ocean’s mist and the soft beneath you. You can also vent to a friend or relative and ask them what to do or speak to a therapist if these thoughts can more and more out of control.
Get Treatment Today
If you suffer from obsessive love disorder, you don’t have to fight it alone. At Bayview Recovery Center, we treat a variety of mental health disorders, including:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Substance abuse disorder
- Borderline personality disorder
- Bipolar disorder
To learn more about our treatment programs, contact 855.478.3650 today.
