How to Cope with Obsessive Love Disorder
What is the disorder of obsessive love?
A condition known as obsessive love disorder (OLD) is characterized by a fixation on a single person whom you perceive to be your true love. You might become obsessively protective of your loved one or even take over control of them, treating them like a prized item.
Although there is no distinct medical or psychiatric categorization for OLD, it frequently coexists with other forms of mental disease. If you believe you or a loved one may have the disorder, speak with your doctor. Relationship problems can be prevented, and treatment can also lessen symptoms.
What signs and symptoms indicate an obsession with love?
OLD symptoms may include:
The need to "guard" the person you're in love with.
Possessive thoughts and behaviours
An intense attraction to just one person
Obsessive thoughts about that person
Strong jealousy of other people's relationships
A poor sense of self
People with OLD may also find it difficult to accept criticism. Sometimes when a relationship ends or if the other person rejects you, the symptoms could get worse. Other indications of this condition include:
Repeated texts, phone calls, and emails to the person they're interested in
A continual need for reassurance
Difficulty maintaining friendships or contact with family members due to the obsession over one person
regulating the other person's movements and actions
What contributes to the onset of obsessive love disorder?
OLD may have several causes, not just one. Instead, it might be connected to different kinds of mental health issues, like:
Attachment dysfunction
These diseases are characterised by issues with emotional attachment, such as lack of empathy or obsession with another person.
Reactive attachment disorder (RAD) and disinhibited social engagement disorder (DSED) are two types of attachment disorders that can arise during childhood as a result of unfavourable interactions with parents or other adult caregivers.
You can be too outgoing and not exercise caution when among strangers in DSED. You might experience stress and interpersonal difficulties if you have RAD.
Borderline Personality Disorder
Self-image issues and significant mood swings are the hallmarks of this mental health condition. You may go from feeling highly furious to feeling extremely pleased in a matter of minutes or hours if you have borderline personality disorder.
Episodes of anxiety and depression can also happen. When considering obsessive love disorder, personality disorders can cause sudden shifts in how much someone is adored or hated.
Delusional Jealousy
This disorder is characterised by an insistence on things that have been demonstrated to be erroneous and is based on delusions (events or facts you think to be true). Even when they have made it clear that this has not happened in the instance of obsessive love, delusional jealousy might lead you to assume that the other party has fallen deeply in love with you.
Erotomania
This condition is at the nexus of obsessive and delusional illnesses of love. When you have erotomania, you think you're in love with someone famous or of a higher social class. By visiting their house or place of employment, for example, this can result in harassment of the other person. People with erotomania frequently live alone, have few acquaintances, and may even be unemployed.
Disorder of Compulsive Behaviour (OCD)
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterised by both compulsive rituals and obsessive thinking. These are critical enough to interfere with your day-to-day activities.Your relationships may suffer if you experience OCD as a result of your constant need for reassurance.
Some people are thought to have relationship OCD when their obsessions and compulsions centre on relationships. This subtype of OCD is not, however, recognised by the government.
Obsessional Jealousy
Obsessional jealousy, in contrast to delusional jealousy, is a fixation with a partner's alleged infidelity. In reaction to concerns about infidelity, this fixation can result in recurrent and compulsive actions. These actions more closely reflect OCD than imagined jealousy. This may result in severe distress or interfere with daily activities. you can seek help from the Counseling psychologist or Psychologist in delhi.
How is obsessive love disorder identified?
An in-depth assessment by a psychiatrist or other mental health specialist is required to diagnose OLD. They will first interview you, during which they will enquire about both your relationships and your symptoms. Additionally, they'll inquire about your family history and any known mental health conditions.
To rule out alternative explanations, your primary care physician might also need to make a medical diagnosis. It’s not recognized by DSM as it intersects with other mental health conditions.
For unknown reasons, women are more likely than males to be affected by OLD.
How is obsessive love disorder handled medically?
The underlying etiology of this disorder determines the specific therapy strategy. However, it frequently entails a mix of medication and counselling.
Brain chemical adjustments can be made using medication. This can then lessen the disorder's symptoms. You might be advised the following of the medications:
Antipsychotics
Mood stabilizers
Antidepressants like Prozac, Paxil, or Zoloft
Anti-anxiety drugs like Valium and Xanax
Your prescription may take many weeks to start working. To locate the one that works best for you, you might also need to check out a few various varieties. Discuss potential side effects with your doctor, such as:
Altered appetite,
Dry mouth,
Exhaustion,
Headaches
Insomnia
Libido loss
Nausea,
Weight gain
All types of OLD can benefit from therapy as well. In some cases, especially when obsessive love disorder results from problems from childhood, it is beneficial for families to be present during therapy sessions. You might choose to take part in individual or group therapy, depending on the severity of the disease and your particular preferences. An expert in mental health may occasionally advise using both. Seek help from the Best psychologist in India or search for the Therapists in delhi.
Options for therapy include:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Play therapy (for children)
Talk therapy
What are the chances of recovery for someone with obsessive love disorder?
Even though OLD is getting more attention, it's still not very common. Less than 0.1 percent of persons are thought to have the disorder.
You should consult a doctor if you or a loved one exhibits potential obsessive love disorder symptoms. To assist decide whether you actually have OLD, they can suggest that you see a psychiatrist. You can potentially suffer from a different mental disease.
OLD might benefit from treatment when it is identified and treated. The important thing is to continue therapy or treatment even if you feel better. Suddenly quitting your medication can make your symptoms worse or perhaps bring them back.
Additionally, you may schedule an appointment with the top professional psychologists and receive Mental health counseling at the Psychowellness Centre, which has many locations in Delhi NCR, NOIDA, Faridabad, Janakpuri, Dwarka, and Vasant Vihar.
Contribution: Dr (Prof) R K Suri, Clinical Psychologist, life coach & mentor TalktoAngel & Ms. Varshini Nayyar, Psychologist.
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