Specialties: What Is Love Addiction? - Elana Clark-Faler, LCSW, CSAT

Love addiction has many faces. For the sake of simplicity, it’s characterized as being overwhelmed by desire for another person, to the detriment of other aspects of life (like work, school, or family). Those who are love addicted become captivated with the feelings of romance, intensity and sexual desire that tend to develop in the beginning of a romance. These people have difficulty moving through deeper levels of intimacy, and often leave a relationship after the “honeymoon stage.”

The love addicted tend to attach their reality to their lover's identity, basing their self-worth on their lover's reactions. They may have difficulty finding their own individuality and act without boundaries as a consequence, swinging from extremes—being overly needy and then engaging in needless/wantless behaviors.

Individuals suffering from love addiction may have affairs with ultimately unavailable partners (people who are married, for example) or have inappropriate relationships with others. Some will conduct several love affairs at the same time to ensure the continuation of the euphoric high that romance offers.

Signs of Love Addiction:
- Fantasizing excessively, to the point of being unable to complete tasks
- Spending excessive amount of time and energy with a partner
- Experiencing difficulty being alone
- Using seduction or manipulation to hold onto a partner
- Defining sexual experiences or romantic intensity as love
- Using fantasy and romantic intensity to avoid painful emotions
- Unable to complete tasks due to excessive fantasy
- Lying to friends and family
- Cheating on partners or spouses
- Sexualize conversations
- Stalking

329 N. Wetherly Dr. Suite 204
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
LSC #23340