2007-03-15 05:43:33 · 21 answers · asked by Archea 1 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
is it like being addicted to a drug?
2007-03-15 05:47:12 · update #1
No. Human beings are social beings, we want to reach out to others at least in some way at some times, and it's natural to want to feel loved and/or appreciated/needed. In the beginning of a love relationship, endorphins are relased and you feel good, but this doesn't mean it's a mental disorder. Only when or if being in love affects your life negatively and prevents you from carrying out daily tasks is it a disorder.
2007-03-15 06:06:29 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it can qualify as a disorder - it's a natural state that we're supposed to fall into.
But, like pregnancy - another natural state - it's certainly a *disturbance*, and neither of these are very good for you, physically or mentally. Your sleep can be affected, along with your eating. You may become fixated and careless. Your work may suffer.
A great deal depends on the circumstances, though. Requited love can be deliriously nice, and none of the problems mentioned above can stop your good mood. Unrequited love - especially rejected or unattainable love - can be as bad as surgery without anaesthetic. People die.
One thing to note: we have just the one word for the condition, and that's really not enough. The ancient Greeks had several to describe all the different types and flavours of love they saw going on. Some of these are Eros; Agape; Storge; Mania; Ludus; Philia. Without going into a long description of each, the biggest problem that lovers face is often that they have only the one word to work with.
So the one partner says 'I love(3) you. Do you love(3) me?', and the other replies 'Yes, I love(5) you' - and then they both wonder why the relationship feels wrong!
And there's another aspect that falls out of this: When a couple first meet and fall in love, it's usually Eros to begin with - the passionate, highly physical stuff that everyone writes about. But nobody can keep that up forever - it just doesn't work in the real world, and when the fireworks start to die down a bit, and you get to face the fact that your glorious partner goes to the toilet just like everyone else, some people just can't take it. They figure that the magic is gone.
But it doesn't have to be - if you dream of a love that lasts forever, you can't expect it to be Eros all the way. It'll be too hard on the knees, for starters. Couples who stay together forever do so because they manage to make the transition from Eros to Storge: the long-term deep affection for each other - warts and all - that makes people truly inseparable. Eros has power and beauty, but Storge has the staying power.
In arranged marriages the couple may never have an Eros phase at all, but over the years they may become completely bonded - and would be devastated if separated by death or circumstances.
To some people, only Eros is worth having - understandable, because it's very nice, even if it is like a mental disorder as you say. But such people can't settle down because to them, love always dies (as they see it) after a while when the sex and fireworks become an everyday thing.
It's worth keeping an eye on these things when you love someone. If they don't behave as you expect, it may just be that their love type doesn't match yours. That's nobody's fault. Above all, if you want to keep something, set it free.
CD
2007-03-15 06:27:04 · answer #2 · answered by Super Atheist 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends what your definition of Love is.,
I think one must be in a position to explain what "love" actually is before this question can be answered. What does "being in love" mean?
Many philosophers over centuries have been asking the same question and there are hundreds of different, yet correct answers. I do not think you will find the answer here as it really depends on you personally.
2007-03-15 06:03:00 · answer #3 · answered by Mark S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. It's not a mental disorder. It's an emotional state. Oftentimes,people confuse lust with love. Love involves alot more than just physical attraction.
2007-03-15 05:52:29 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
sometimes feels like love is an addiction, i feel like that about my boyfriend, we have been together nearly 3 years and have lived together for over a year, and i still miss him when we are apart, and always want to be near him or talking to him. i could spend my life in his arms kissing and cuddling all the time
2007-03-15 05:52:45 · answer #5 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well truthfully yes(my opinion). love is different to everyone involved in it so if its not a mental disorder wouldn't we all have the same look at it.
2007-03-15 06:51:55 · answer #6 · answered by Darran N 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes love is all in the mind, its a physical and emotional attraction that is created when the brain releases lots of dophermean (pleasure substance) makes us overwhealed and rlly happy untill we think we are in love, its purely pycological
2007-03-16 08:58:44 · answer #7 · answered by Jensen Ackles Girl (I Wish!) 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most Politicians are in Love "WITH THEMSELVES" And we all Know the suffer from serious Mental Disorder .....
2007-03-15 07:23:03 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definitely.
2007-03-15 06:22:28 · answer #9 · answered by oobedoo 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No is a natural demand of our feeling to be giving and receive and love comes from Greek word e-lav-on lav love which means acceptance..
2007-03-15 05:54:58 · answer #10 · answered by eviot44 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋