“Limerence is an intense, involuntary state of romantic infatuation characterized by obsessive thoughts, emotional dependency, and a strong desire for reciprocation. Unlike healthy love, it is rooted in obsession and anxiety, leading to intrusive thoughts, emotional highs and lows, and an idealization of the person of interest (the "Limerent Object"). While not classified as a mental disorder, limerence often coexists with conditions like Autism, PTSD, and OCD, making it even more overwhelming. For autistic individuals, limerence can manifest as a hyperfixation, with black-and-white thinking and difficulty reading social cues exacerbating emotional distress. Those with PTSD may experience limerence as an emotional flashback, using the Limerent Object as a source of perceived safety, which can reinforce trauma bonds and fears of abandonment. Similarly, in OCD, limerence mimics obsessive thought patterns, leading to compulsive behaviors like checking social media, rereading texts, and engaging in excessive rumination. To someone unfamiliar with limerence, it may seem like an intense crush, but for the sufferer, it can be profoundly disabling, affecting daily life, work, and relationships. The inability to control intrusive thoughts can lead to cognitive overload, emotional turmoil, social withdrawal, and a decline in self-esteem.”
(this isn’t my description!!)
has anybody else experienced this? does anyone have any advice?