How Does Obsessive Love Disorder Look Like

Obsessive Love Disorder is not a medically approved disorder but refers to a fixation towards their partner as if the person is some kind of possession or object. One of the signs of Obsessive Love Disorder is delusional jealousy, an obsessive person making assumptions and beliefs like their partner breaching the trust or cheating. It’s the opposite side of a healthy relationship, and the partner can eventually become obsessive and controlling.

Is this disorder an illness or a state of emotion?

OLD is not defined as a separate part of a mental health condition in the DSM-5 (the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). There is still debate ongoing on whether we should include this disorder in mental illnesses, but according to defined characteristics that point it to being a disorder. OLD is more related to our emotions and the thoughts that we choose to think. Someone with OLD has this feeling of becoming the shield of the person they love. They feel to keep them safe they have to control them or they might do so to fight against their feelings of jealousy and insecurity.

A Serious Condition?

Even if OLD is not included in the DSM-5 yet OLD is a serious condition that can badly affect the Obsessive person’s life and their ability to work normally and carry out their usual responsibilities because they are so overwhelmed with the thoughts and emotions about them. It can lead to the case that the object of their fixation might be at risk of stalking and harassment if the person feels their feelings are not reciprocated. Some research indicates that women are more likely to have this obsessive love disorder than men.

Symptoms:

The symptoms of OLD vary from person to person depending on their condition and situation.

• There is a need for constant validation from the person you love.
• There is an urge to have continuous contact with the object of your affection.
• The person willn’t think about the personal boundaries of the object of their affection.
• The person will Continuously control the person they love.
• Feeling jealousy from the relationships the person you love has with other people.
• Becoming overly protective towards your partner.
• The person has a feeling of low self-esteem particularly when feeling like your love isn’t reciprocated.
• A person does not become part of any social activities that don’t include the person they love.
• A person feels very possessive about their partner’s time, space, attention
• A person feels they need to control the actions, and behaviours of the person they supposedly love.
• Overwhelming Feelings.
• Reduced ability to function.