You may be aware of the idea of Obsessive Love Disorder if you have had the chance of seeing the oh-so-famous thriller on Netflix called You. Before treading ahead, it is important to make it clear that there is no clear-cut diagnosis of Obsessive Love Disorder. It is not included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5). DSM-5 is the manual published by the American Psychiatric Association for the classification and diagnosis of mental disorders. Since the latest edition of the manual does not include a separate diagnosis of Obsessive Love Disorder, professionals cannot diagnose anyone with this disorder. However, the presence of Obsessive Love can be an indication of other mental health conditions. And, there may be chances of you being diagnosed with those conditions than Obsessive Love Disorder.
What is Obsessive Love Disorder?
Obsessive love or Obsessive love disorder is marked by a debilitating and dysfunctional condition and when severe has the chances of becoming all-pervasive. It is marked by extreme emotional distress and may also lead to deliberate self-harm, suicidal tendencies, abuse, and violence of other kinds. In this condition, the person suffering from Obsessive Love Disorder starts having obsessive thoughts about the love object to the extent that it becomes difficult for them to stay away from them. The person may become excessively protective of their partner and may also start controlling them and their behaviors to suit their needs. The person starts treating their partner as their own possession. All of this leads to the creation of a very toxic environment that severs all the interpersonal relationships of the person suffering from Obsessive Love Disorder.
Obsessive Love Disorder Symptoms
Though there is no scientific and clear-cut diagnosis of Obsessive Love Disorder, the symptoms can be loosely defined as marked by the following characteristics.
- An obsessive desire and overwhelming attraction to the love object.
- Experiencing emotional distress when staying away from a partner for longer periods of time.
- Having doubtful thoughts about the love object if they seem affectionate towards other people.
- Demanding more from the love object than they can afford to give. There is an inherent violation of boundaries in the relationship.
- Social media stalking and excessive online contact through calls, texts, emails when away.
- A sense of needing to protect the love object.
- Having a feeling that a love object is their possession as manifested by possessive thoughts and actions.
- Showing feelings of extreme jealousy towards other people whom the love object may be concerned about.
- Having the need to monitor and control the other person’s actions and behaviors.
- Because of the need of being attached and being present with the love object all the time, the person ultimately suffers from ruined family life, less social interactions, and has difficulty in building and nurturing other interpersonal relationships.
- In case the love object attempts to leave, they are met with threats by the person.
It is important to remember that these symptoms mentioned here should be present in the person for a long period of time and they should be uniform across time and situations. The presence of only one characteristic or two does not make anyone the sufferer. The above-mentioned list of symptoms can also be used as an informal obsessive love disorder test to only understand if there is the presence of any of the characteristics. However, if you notice any of these symptoms in yourself or others, contact a therapist immediately.
Obsessive Love Disorder Causes
As the presence of obsessive love is usually an indicator of other mental health conditions, the causes hence may vary from individual to individual. It is important to mention here that there is no scientific evidence of accurate and concrete causes for the condition of Obsessive Love Disorder. Find listed below some of the causes that may act as a predisposing factor for the occurrence of Obsessive Love Disorder.
Attachment Style:
Psychological research studies have shown that the effect of attachment styles with parents in childhood lingers until adult life. On the basis of one’s attachment to their parents or adult caregivers, the picture of one’s interrelationship matrix can be painted and predicted quite accurately. People having insecure, or reactive or abusive parental attachment may fall into the trap of obsessive love disorder as their attachment styles leave them in states where they fear losing their partners, as well as becoming obsessive and controlling.
Borderline Personality Disorder:
People with Borderline Personality Disorder have an intense fear of abandonment. They are emotionally unstable and see their love object as either all good or all bad at one time. They can be extremely devoted lovers but their emotional instability may introduce toxicity in their relationship. There is a creation of unhealthy codependency in the relationship where the person may start obsessing over their love object. In severe cases, there are suicidal threats and deliberate self-harm. Hence, violence and abuse may seep into the relationship.
Obsessive Love DisorderPast trauma and abuse:
A history of abuse of any sort in the past or a case of trauma may make a person more vulnerable to developing obsessive love disorder. Trauma makes a person hypervigilant to their surroundings and increases their bias towards threat and negativity in the environment. Hence, the person becomes doubtful of the little and big actions of their love object if they do not necessarily gratify the person’s needs and demands. The trauma of losing a partner by death or otherwise may also make a person more prone to this condition, as there are chances of this person developing a fear of abandonment or a fear of losing their partner which makes them obsess and control their love object.
Society’s norms:
Patriarchy and toxic masculinity teach men to treat their partners as objects as if they are their materialistic possessions. They are taught to stay vigilant of all the actions of their partners. They are also taught to control the behavior and actions of their love objects as if that’s the only truth and that’s how they can express their love towards them. This also leads to the development of obsessive love disorder. Other than the causes mentioned above, existing literature revolving around Obsessive Love Disorder says that delusional disorders, erotomania, jealousy characteristics may also increase a person’s chances of developing this condition.
Obsessive Love Disorder Treatment
Among the treatments of Obsessive Love Disorder the most effective one is seeking therapy. To start with individual therapy would create a positive impact on the person’s life and later on when comfortable they can shift to couple’s therapy to mend the brokenness in their relationship.
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavioral therapy
- Narrative therapy may prove helpful to people seeking treatment.
It is highly recommended to not take medications without proper diagnosis and consultation with a professional. Likewise, one may choose to reach out to support groups if they seem apprehensive about the idea of therapy.
Also Read: Is It Love Or Infatuation?
