Love addiction is the vicious cycle of infatuated behavior that can cause you to choose unhealthy relationships again and again.
Here are 3 symptoms and signs to recognize:
#1 Symptom: Poor boundaries
Are you a “yes” person? Do you say yes even when you don’t want to? Do you often feel like “no” isn’t an option, or that saying “no” means that you don’t care or are a bad person? Poor boundaries are a symptom of attachment wounding and are common in love addicts.
Click here to learn more about difficulty with boundaries.
#2 Symptom: Leap before looking
Do you let your attraction chemicals make decisions for you? If you tend to become infatuated with someone and are willing to make life altering decisions to be with that person before you have rationally looked at his/her behavior over time, chances are that you are addicted to the “love” chemicals produced by your brain. Biological diversity may produce greater physical attraction through chemical excitement but does not necessarily mean compatibility.
#3 Symptom: Can’t quit toxic relationships
If you find yourself clinging to a person that is abusive emotionally or physically, lies or keeps secrets, cheats, plays games, or is even up front with being non-committal but you just can’t quit him even though you want commitment, then you are clinging to a toxic relationship. This quality is very dangerous and takes a toll on your emotional and physical health. If you see that you have struggled with being able to quit toxic relationships, it’s almost certain that you are suffering from a love addiction.
Summary:
Love addiction, sex addictions, and food addictions are just as real as drug and alcohol addictions, but may go unnoticed for your whole life. You may feel caught in a pain cycle again and again, and not know how to get out. Support from others that have gone through the healing process can be an essential part in your own healing journey.
Although not as easy to spot as drug or alcohol addiction, love addiction is a very painful cycle that is difficult to break. With attachment healing, coaching, and emotional support, I am committed to guiding you in the healing process. For more information contact me at 415-448-6478 or at info@jennifernorstrom.com.
~Jennifer Norstrom, LMFT
