Clinical Observations on Limerence: New Clinical Patterns and Treatment Considerations
/Limerence remains an underrecognized phenomenon in clinical practice, despite causing significant distress for those experiencing it. While Dorothy Tennov first identified this state of obsessive romantic infatuation in the 1970s, relatively little has been written about its varied presentations and treatment approaches. Through my clinical work as an OCD psychologist, I've identified distinct subtypes of limerence driven by different forms of yearning: physical desire, worthiness seeking, and fantasy fulfillment. This article presents a clinical framework for understanding limerence that extends beyond current literature, with particular attention to social media's role in intensifying and maintaining obsessive attachment.
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