Love is supposed to feel comforting — not overwhelming, consuming, or painful. But sometimes, what feels like love can slowly turn into obsession.
In this Psych2Go compilation, we’ve put together several videos that explore obsessive love — what it looks like, why it happens, and how it’s different from healthy attachment. This isn’t about judging or labeling anyone. It’s about understanding why some connections feel intense to the point of losing yourself. ⚠️ Disclaimer: This video is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or replace professional mental health support. If a relationship feels unsafe or overwhelming, consider reaching out to a trusted professional or support service.
❤️If you found comfort or clarity here, feel free to like, share, and subscribe to support the channel and our community.❤️
It's been months, maybe a year now.
They're still not calling, still not
choosing you, and yet they live in your
mind like they never left. You ask
yourself, why does this happen? Why is
it so hard to let go of someone who
already let go of you? Obsession is
often a grief in disguise. Grief for the
person. Grief for what could have been.
Grief for the version of you that was
deeply deeply open and got hurt. At
Psych to Go, our mission is to explore
the hidden corners of the human mind and
heart, helping you understand yourself
better, heal emotionally, and feel less
alone in what you're going through. So,
if you've been feeling stuck in this
loop for months or even a year, let's
take a deeper look at how this kind of
mental obsession forms and what it
slowly takes from you if you don't learn
how to break free. You've tied your
worth to their attention. Maybe their
validation made you feel special in a
way no one else could. And when it
stopped, it didn't just hurt, it
shattered something inside you. You
begin to internalize their actions,
thinking that if they're not showing
interest, it must mean you're not
enough. So now you find yourself chasing
their ghost, hoping it'll make you feel
whole again. But the truth is, your
worth was never meant to be measured by
someone else's presence or absence.
Letting go of this attachment isn't
about forgetting them. It's about
remembering yourself. It's about
reclaiming your own value and realizing
that you are already enough. No matter
what someone chooses to give or
withhold, your worth is inherent. No one
else can define it for you. Emotional
attachment. You're not just attached to
the person. You're attached to the
emotional experience you had with them.
Maybe they showed up during a vulnerable
time in your life or gave you a kind of
comfort and understanding that felt
rare. They made you feel safe, seen,
emotionally alive. And when that bond is
broken, it can feel like you're losing a
part of yourself. But staying
emotionally tied to someone who's no
longer present keeps you stuck in the
past. Healing begins when you learn to
give yourself the emotional nourishment
you once looked for in them. Letting go
doesn't mean erasing what you felt. It
means honoring it and choosing yourself
anyway.
You're in love with the fantasy, not the
person. Sometimes we don't miss them. We
miss the version of them we created in
our minds.
Obsession thrives when you're chasing a
version of someone that never really
existed or a fantasy you wanted so badly
to be real. But most of all, it grows
when something inside you, your sense of
self-worth, your emotional security,
your need for connection feels out of
reach. That's why letting go isn't just
about moving on from them. It's about
gently coming home to you.
You constantly look for signs they're
thinking of you, too. You're all over
their social media, watching every
story, checking when they're online,
trying to decode the meaning behind
every post. Was that quote about you?
Did they post that song because they're
thinking of you? You start reading
between the lines, hoping to find a
hidden message that confirms they still
care. You look for signs because you
want reassurance. You're still tied to
them energetically. But real connection
doesn't need decoding. It's clear,
consistent, and mutual. The moment you
stop searching for signs is the moment
you begin to create space for peace.
You're still holding out for closure.
You replay the last conversation over
and over, hoping for something, anything
that would make it all make sense. Maybe
they ghosted you, left things
unfinished, and now you're stuck in
limbo, hoping they'll come back to give
you the closure you deserve. The kind of
closure you're waiting for may never
come. And even if it did, it probably
wouldn't heal the way you expect it to.
Closure isn't something someone else
gives you. It's something you create
within yourself. You give yourself
closure when you accept what happened,
even if you don't understand it. You
give yourself closure when you decide
that your healing is more important than
the explanation. The longer you wait for
them to close the door, the longer you
keep yourself from walking through a new
one. You've romanticized the good and
forgotten the hard parts. You remember
the laughter, the chemistry, the spark,
but you forget the anxiety, the silence,
or how one-sided things really felt.
How about you make a two column list?
Fantasy versus reality. Not to shame
yourself, but to lovingly remind your
heart of the full truth. Healing begins
with honesty.
You compare everyone new to them.
Every time you meet someone new, you
measure them against the person you're
still stuck on. Maybe you tell yourself
that no one else has their charm, their
voice, the way they made you feel seen.
But what if what you're holding on to
wasn't them, but the idea of them? It's
okay to value what you shared, but don't
let it blind you to new possibilities.
The right person won't just remind you
of them. They'll show up in a way that's
real, mutual, and grounded in the
present. Open your heart to something
new, not just something familiar.
Familiar doesn't always mean right.
Sometimes it means unhealed.
So, if you're stuck obsessing over
someone, no, you're not crazy. You're
not weak. It just means you loved
deeply. It means you felt something
real. But real love, the kind that
heals, begins with you. Take a breath.
You've carried this weight for so long.
You deserve peace. Not just from them,
but from the version of you that had to
hold on so tightly to begin with. You
don't have to forget them overnight. Be
patient with yourself as you let go of
the obsession. And one day you'll look
back and realize that this was the
moment you came home to yourself. You
deserve a love that is mutual, certain,
and safe. And if this video helped you
in any way, this is a personal message
from the writer of the script.
Hi, my name is Anie. I wrote this from
my own ongoing struggle. Right now, I'm
grieving my boyfriend. I loved him so
much. He was fun, charming, and
incredibly sweet. But over time, I
started feeling disrespected, especially
by how he spoke to me. So, I made a
choice to leave. It wasn't easy. Not a
day goes by that I don't miss him.
Sometimes I just want to call and hear
his voice again. But I remind myself of
why I left. Because as much as I loved
him, I deserve more than a love that
hurts. I deserve more than charm. I
deserve respect. When the urge hits to
call him, I take a walk. I journal. I
cry if I need to, but I don't go back. I
found that simple actions like playing
my favorite song, stepping outside for
air, or texting a friend, help me ride
the wave. And slowly, moment by moment,
it gets easier. So, if you're struggling
with obsession right now, please know
that you're not alone. All the feelings
you're having, they're valid.
Thanks for being here. Don't forget to
like and subscribe and share this video
with anyone who might need it. And we'll
see you next time.
Have you ever felt a love so intense it
consumes you? The thought of them takes
over your mind and you'd give up
everything just for a moment with them.
Everything they do affects your mood.
But is it love or is it obsession? And
why does this happen? In our previous
video on the stages of obsessive love,
many of you shared your stories. Our
goal today is to let you know that it's
not your fault if you feel this type of
attachment. Your brain is changing in
ways that make it hard to get a grip on
your emotions. We're wired for
connection because it's crucial for our
survival and well-being. But when our
brain goes into overdrive, it's often
due to excess chemicals like dopamine or
oxytocin leading to obsessive thoughts
and behaviors as our brain tries to
maintain that intense connection. So in
this video, we'll dive into the science
behind why this happens, how it affects
you, and what you can do about it.
Dopamine. First comes dopamine, a
hormone involved in your brain's reward
system. It plays a crucial role in the
thrill of falling in love. When you
first meet someone special, your brain
releases a surge of dopamine, making you
feel euphoric and alive. Suddenly,
everything about them feels like a
reward. Their smile, the sound of their
voice, or even a simple text message,
all of it triggers a dopamine release.
As time goes on, that initial high turns
into a serious craving.
This happens because your brain learns
to link their attention and presence
with feeling good, making you desire
more of that rewarding feeling. If you
don't hear from them for a hot minute,
you might feel anxiety creeping in. Your
mind races with thoughts like, "Are they
ghosting me? Did I say something wrong?"
The need for their attention becomes an
addiction. This is called reward
learning, and it's exactly what leads
you to obsessively crave your special
person and what makes you feel so lost
without them. Oxytocin.
As you share sweet moments, oxytocin,
often referred to as the love hormone,
deepens emotional bonds. When you share
physical closeness, like cuddling,
holding hands, or just binge watching a
show together, oxytocin levels rise,
flooding your brain with feelings of
warmth and safety.
But with high levels of oxytocin, the
fear of separation grows, and that
emotional bond becomes hard to break.
You might start to feel anxious when
you're apart, wondering, "What are they
doing? Are they with someone else?"
This fear can lead to clingy or needy
behaviors like double texting or
constantly checking if they've seen your
messages. The thought of separation can
feel unbearable and you may become
dependent and anxiously attached to
them. Testosterone.
Next, testosterone levels rise. This is
a hormone linked to sexual desire and
aggression. When testosterone levels are
high, you may find yourself feeling
passionate and incredibly attracted to
them. At the same time, testosterone
stirs up competitive feelings, making
you want to grab all of their attention
and keep others at bay. It also creates
a sense of possessiveness, leading to
feelings of jealousy.
Someone else sliding into their DMs, not
a chance.
This intensity can make you feel overly
protective and even lead to some
controlling behaviors. Cortisol. These
emotional roller coasters increase the
release of cortisol, the stress hormone.
When your love becomes obsessive,
cortisol spikes, leading to intense
stress. You constantly worry about your
partner's feelings or the future of the
relationship, and it can lead to
sleepless nights filled with racing
thoughts. Then your body might respond
to this chronic stress with physical
symptoms like tension headaches or
nausea. You end up in a neverending loop
of fearing rejection and abandonment.
And as time goes on, these insecurities
may even start to overshadow the love
you had for them at the beginning.
Serotonin.
Serotonin, another feel-good hormone,
also plays a role in your feelings. When
love turns obsessive, serotonin levels
drop significantly. This decrease is
similar to what happens in individuals
with obsessivecompulsive disorder. This
might explain why those experiencing
obsessive love often have similar
patterns of intrusive, repetitive
thoughts. Are they even into me? Am I
good enough? Their texting seems off.
Are they mad? Your brain becomes locked
in a pattern of overanalyzing every
interaction and interpreting every
action as either a positive or negative
signal. And instead of warm and cozy,
the love you feel becomes exhausting.
So what do we do? If obsessive love has
you feeling overwhelmed, there are ways
to help yourself. First, try mindfulness
techniques like deep breathing or
meditation to calm those racing
thoughts. When you catch yourself
thinking, "I can't live without them,"
flip it into, "I am enough just as I
am." Focus on your own hobbies and
friendships as nurturing your own
interests can help you feel more
balanced and less dependent on your
partner or crush for happiness. And if
things feel too heavy to handle alone,
don't hesitate to reach out to a
therapist. Talking to someone can
provide support and help you find
healthier ways to love.
Do you feel like you're stuck in a cycle
of obsessive love? Check out this video
if you're unsure. Remember, you're not
alone in this journey. And by working on
yourself, you can transform your
obsession into a beautiful, pure, and
calming love. the kind you truly
deserve. We hope our videos and
community can support you along the way.
Thanks for watching and take care of
yourself.
If you clicked this video, you've
probably found yourself thinking about
someone 24/7, doing everything you can
to be close to them and feeling like you
can't live without them or maybe been on
the receiving end of this and are
curious. Obsessive love can feel
intense, overwhelming, and allconsuming.
But what does psychology have to say
about it? Here are seven fascinating
facts that will make you think twice
about this powerful emotion. Obsessive
love looks like. Obsessive love is when
someone becomes fixated on another
person in an unhealthy way. It's more
than just having a crush. It's an
intense focus that can lead to harmful
thoughts and behaviors. Some people
refer to this as obsessive love
disorder, old, but it's not officially
recognized as a mental illness by most
clinicians. However, describing these
intense feelings and actions as
obsessive love can be helpful as they
often overlap with symptoms of other
mental health issues such as insecure
attachment, childhood attachment
disorders, erottomania, and borderline
personality disorder. How to spot
obsessive love. If you're wondering if
you or someone you know might be
experiencing obsessive love, here are
some common signs. Constant thoughts.
You can't stop thinking about the person
no matter what. Needing constant
contact. You feel the need to be in
touch with them all the time. Jealousy.
You feel possessive and jealous even
without a reason. Controlling. You might
try to control their actions or
thoughts. Worrying about safety. You're
overly concerned about their safety to
the point of obsession. Ignoring
boundaries. You might overstep personal
boundaries or disregard their privacy.
Sensitivity to rejection. Any negative
feedback or lack of attention feels
devastating. Difficulty with rejection.
It's hard to accept when they say no or
don't return your feelings. Monitoring
behavior. You keep tabs on their
whereabouts, communications, or actions.
Invading space. You might invade their
personal space physically or
emotionally.
Love and other drugs. When you're
obsessively in love, your brain is
actually undergoing chemical changes.
According to the experts at Medical News
Today, the same brain regions that light
up during addiction also activate when
you're deeply infatuated. Feelood
hormones like dopamine and serotonin
spike, making you feel euphoric when you
think about or see your love interest.
But so does your cortisol, the stress
hormone, at the slightest worry, like if
they don't text you back right away.
This chemical cocktail is why obsessive
love can feel so exhilarating and so
hard to let go of. You can't help but
chase the high and avoid the lows of
obsessive love.
It's not just about the person.
Obsessive love isn't always about the
person you're obsessed with. Sometimes
it's more about what they symbolize in
your life. They might represent a sense
of security, happiness, or even an
escape from your own problems. For
example, if you're feeling lost or
lonely, you might latch on to someone
else who seems to have everything you
want, believing they can fill the void
in your life. But in reality, no one
person can solve all your problems. By
reflecting on why you're so fixated on
them, you can uncover deeper issues and
start working on them.
Self-esteem plays a role. People with
low self-esteem often struggle with
feeling unworthy of love, which can make
them more prone to obsessive love. They
might constantly seek validation from
their partner, trying to prove to
themselves that they are lovable. This
need for constant reassurance can turn
into an unhealthy fixation where their
entire self-worth hinges on the other
person's approval. It's a tough cycle
because the more they depend on someone
else for validation, the less confident
they feel in their own worth. Attachment
styles matter. Did you know that the way
you attach to people can be traced back
to your childhood? According to a study
by Hunari and Seremy, people with what's
called an ambivalent, insecure
attachment style are more likely to
experience obsessive love. So, what does
this mean? If you have this attachment
style, you might rely heavily on others
because of inconsistent care during
childhood. This can make you worry a lot
about whether your relationships are
secure, leading to clingy or possessive
behavior. You might have a hard time
being alone and often look for constant
reassurance from your partner. This can
show up as being overly affectionate in
public or feeling jealous and suspicious
easily. Remember, understanding your
attachment style can help you learn how
to build healthier relationships. It's
all about recognizing patterns and
making choices that help you grow and
feel secure. Rejection makes the heart
grow fonder. People with obsessive love
might believe there's a special
connection with the person they're
fixated on, even if that person doesn't
feel the same way or doesn't even know
they exist. According to a study by Dr.
Lucinda Mitchell, this can happen even
after clear rejection or multiple
instances of infidelity, making it hard
to move on. Healing is possible. If
you're struggling with obsessive love,
know that healing is possible. Therapy
can help you understand your emotions,
develop healthier relationship patterns,
and improve your self-esteem.
Journaling, mindfulness, and self-care
are also powerful tools for managing
intense feelings and finding balance.
Obsessive love can be a sign of a
serious mental health issue. And if left
untreated, it can harm friendships and
relationships. In extreme cases, it
could even lead to legal trouble or
violence due to jealousy or overly
controlling behaviors like stalking. The
good news is that understanding the
psychology behind obsessive love can
empower you to make healthier choices in
your relationships. By learning about
yourself and your emotions, you can
create a life filled with fun, learning,
and healing. So, take a deep breath,
reflect on these insights, and know that
you have the power to build the loving
relationships you deserve. Did you find
this video helpful? What are your
thoughts on obsessive love? Share them
with us in the comments below. If you
enjoyed this video, don't forget to hit
the thumbs up button and subscribe to
Psych to Go for more content. Thanks for
watching and we'll see you in the next
video.
Have you ever found yourself trapped in
a cycle of relentless thoughts about
someone?
Maybe it's an ex who broke your heart or
a crush who doesn't reciprocate your
feelings. Whatever the case, obsessing
over someone can be mentally exhausting
and emotionally draining. But fear not,
because there are ways to untangle
yourself from this mental web and regain
your peace of mind. Here are some
psychologybacked strategies on how to
stop obsessing over someone.
Recognize the illusion.
Obsession happens when we project our
desires onto someone who's unavailable
and over idealize them. Realistically,
you probably know only about 10% of who
that person truly is. and then you fill
in the rest. And it's that 90% that
you're actually obsessed with. You long
for someone that doesn't exist. The
idea, potential, and the fantasy of what
could be. And perhaps you don't even
really want them. Perhaps you simply
want them to want you. To break free
from this illusion, reflect on what
underlying needs or insecurities might
be driving your obsession. Are you
seeking validation, acceptance, or a
sense of belonging through your fixation
on this person? By gaining insight into
the deeper motivations behind your
behavior, you can address these needs in
healthier ways, like through self-
validation, building strong
relationships with friends and family,
or seeking professional therapy.
Embrace reality. Ever caught yourself
lost in a whirlwind of thoughts about
that special someone? Replaying
conversations or imagining future
scenarios? Mindfulness can be a powerful
antidote to obsessive thinking. Take
some time each day to practice
mindfulness meditation or activities
that can help you focus on being present
in the moment like painting, journaling,
running, dancing, or playing music. When
intrusive thoughts about the person pop
up, acknowledge them without judgment
and gently guide your attention back to
the present. By grounding yourself in
the here and now, you can disentangle
from obsessive thoughts and find peace
within yourself.
Do an emotional detox. When you're
obsessed with someone, you probably have
compulsive behaviors that reinforce and
intensify the cycle of obsession. for
example, stalking them on social media,
rereading your conversations, and
replaying imagined scenarios in your
head. Just as you cleanse your body with
a detox, it's essential to detoxify your
mind from thoughts and emotions that no
longer serve you. Start by setting
boundaries for yourself. Unfollow them
on social media. Stop bringing them up
in conversations and limit your
interactions with them. Create some
distance to help you heal and find
better things to fill your life with,
like learning a new skill, focusing on
your friends and family, or pursuing
something you're passionate about.
Cultivate radical self-love.
When we harbor doubts about our
worthiness or desiraability, we may seek
validation and fulfillment externally,
fixating on others to fill the void
within ourselves. But once we cultivate
more love, acceptance, and compassion
towards ourselves, we begin to recognize
that our worthiness does not hinge on
the approval or affection of others.
Radical self-love is a powerful antidote
to obsession as it shifts our focus
inward towards nurturing our own
happiness and well-being.
So create a self-care routine to
practice daily. Practice positive
affirmations or self-love and self-worth
and engage in more activities that bring
you joy and fulfillment.
Let go of attachment.
Obsessive thoughts often arise from a
resistance to accepting reality as it
is. Practice the art of detachment by
letting go of the need to control
outcomes or force closure with the
person you're obsessing over. Accept
that you may never get all the answers
or closure you desire and focus instead
on finding peace within yourself.
Embrace uncertainty as a natural part of
life and trust that you have the
strength to navigate whatever comes your
way. Seek support. Don't hesitate to
lean on your support system during this
time. Whether it's friends, family, or a
therapist, having someone to talk to can
provide valuable insight and
perspective. Their support or even just
their presence can remind you that you
don't have to overcome this struggle
alone and they can be a safe space for
you to explore your feelings and
discover healthier ways of relating to
others.
So, did you learn anything valuable from
this video? Do you have any tips of your
own on how to overcome an obsession?
Share your insights in the comments down
below. Subscribe to our channel for more
insightful content on personal growth
and psychology, like how to detach
yourself from someone you love. Don't
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before you go. Thanks for watching.