Home Relationship In Love Love Versus Obsession
Love Versus Obsession Print
Relationship - In Love

Being in love can be a wonderful feeling, but how do you know if it is really love or simply an obsession? True love involves many aspects with trust being the most important. There are many people who defend jealous or even violent actions with claiming that they are in love. The truth is that love is a beautiful, giving and trusting action between two people. Obsession is an action of one person towards another.

The two are not nearly as alike as many may think but they do have some similar qualities. So how do you know if someone is really in love with you or merely obsessed? How do you know if your feelings are truly love? Here are some pointers to head you in the right direction.

If what you are feeling includes a constant or frequent fear of infidelity then you may simply be obsessed with someone. If you are constantly demanding that he tell you where he has been and what he has been doing and more importantly if you do not trust him when he does tell you then you may not really be in love. Of course, if you have had infidelity issues with this person then you may need to reevaluate your relationship. If you have no trust then love does not stand a chance of survival.

If you are constantly in fear that he will leave you and you wonder if you can even begin to survive on your own without him, this also triggers an obsession flag. While no one wants to begin to think about what would happen if they lost their true love, constantly obsessing over this fear points to well - obsessing. Having the need to be in constant contact with the one you “love” is unhealthy both for you and for him. Being constantly afraid of losing him, feeling depressed at the though and even provoking arguments because of your fear should tell you that this is not really love you are feeling. Love, again, is a beautiful thing. It should bring with it no fear, no worries of desertion and certainly should produce a trust between the two of you. If you do not have this peace and trust in your relationship then you should begin to consider your relationship’s end.

While it is perfectly normal to think about your love while he is away from you, constantly thinking about him to the point that you are distracted from everyday tasks could signal obsession as well. Everyone wants to take a few minutes out of their hectic day to think about the person that they love. However, if you find yourself always thinking about him and particularly if your daydreams are causing you problems at work or anywhere else in your life, then these feelings are more likely tuned to obsession than love.

Along with this behavior comes compulsiveness. If you frequently call your beau at home or work just to see if he is there or even worse, if you drive by his home or workplace just to see his car then you should be concerned. Accusing him of cheating, demanding to know every single detail of his life away from you and trying to control him at all times points to obsession.

If you are feeling these emotions and are concerned about your relationship then take a step back. Being obsessed with someone will only get you hurt. You should take a few days or weeks away from this person. See if you can find something else to occupy your time while you sort out your true feelings. It is much better that you take a break now then end up being hurt later.

Comments (15)Add Comment
GOOD ADVICE
written by TINA, February 10, 2009
OBSESSION OF SOMETHING IS REALY BAD IT JUST SCREW UR LIFE AND OTHER PERSON YOU ARE OBSESSED WITH. OBSESSION IS DESTRUCTIVE AND JUST CAUSE DAMAGE TO EVERYONE. SO ONCE YOU KNOW YOU ARE OBSESSED WITH THE PERSON BECOME STRONG AND DETACHED URSELF FROMHIM/HER TO LET THEM BE HAPPY.
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +2
Obsession vs. Love
written by Ann, March 03, 2009
I wonder about obsession vs. love when the woman allows herself to get pregnant on the pretext she cannot conceive. And, that to a guy she knows is living with another woman. Then, she is determined to manipulate the father - even using the father's concern and love for the child - as a tool to gain a relationship with him. Love should be voluntary not coersed, not guilt-ridden. I wonder if this young lady will lose her "obsession" with the father once she has him and move on to another challenge.
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +1
physician
written by jamie, March 05, 2009
obsession is a sense of aquisitiveness and possession. it will not only keep us up at night, it will impinge on our activities of daily living, including our care of ourselves. it can lead to paranoia and guilty thinking of ourselves. it darkens the eyes of our heart and rather than looking upward and inward for hope we fumble with futility of controling a situation that is uncontrollable. stop before you lose your beautiful wife, four children, house, and potentially your job. love is free and is freedomsmilies/smiley.gif
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +4
Thanks for this advice!
written by Alissa, May 04, 2009
WOW! This is exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you so much for enlightening me on this subject, I am deeply in-love and find that I feel somewhat obsessed sometimes. It drives me crazy and makes me feel bad, I don't wont to push my love away, just let him know I here and that I love him. I think I will take a step back and read a book or something spend time a little more with my family and focus on why I am with him to start with. Because It didn't start this way but became this. I want to take it back a little step and let love happen.

Thanks again.

Alissa smilies/grin.gif
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +3
...
written by screwed it up, July 31, 2009
that explains alot. and now i feel dumb. smilies/cry.gif (i'm a man)
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +1
How do I get back to love now that I've become obsessed?
written by Wow!, January 06, 2010
Like Alissa, I didn't start out obsessing. He and I have a very deep emotional connection and we share a lot of things in common. I conclude that my trust issues (stemming from past relationships) are what have provoked my obsession. He hasn't given me a concrete reason not to trust him. I've told him about my trust issue and he has patiently walked me through any 'doubt' that I have brought to his attention, but I don't want to continually bring up my insecurities because no matter how patient he is, I know eventually it will drive him away. Is it possible to get out of this stage and get back to a healthy kind of love? I'm afraid of losing my mind...and losing him in the process!! smilies/sad.gif
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +1
Love v. Obsession
written by The Obsessed, February 05, 2010
Thats how exactly I feel. I always want to stay ontouch, know the whereabouts and if i my call is not received on the attempt i feel my beloved is talking or having fun with someone else, which drives me crazy and i then dont take my fingers off the phone until it is received followed by a number of questions and eventually a big fight..then a sorry and the vicious circle goes on..Now i want to take a step back. Thanks for this
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +0
This is bad
written by Xolani Makhwasa , February 09, 2010
I am confused, have been obsessed before and would not like to be in the same position again, it is my prayer that I get assistance regarding this issue.

Regards
Xolani
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +0
A lovely day in the nieghborhood?
written by Decogal, February 15, 2010
I am lving a block away from an old lover, and we reconnected a few months ago. But something went wrong and I have to pass his house every day as it is the only way out to the main road. There are no extra driveways. So I am stuck. Sometimes I am okay with it, sometimes I am not. I have made no contact and it is hard not to wonder if someone is there with him. I cry a lot. Any help here?
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +0
...
written by joseph, March 30, 2010
I should have read this before jumping into this new relationship of mine. It's been 3 weeks, and she already pointed out that I am on borderline being obsessed with her. I should keep this in mind more often. Thank You
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +0
How to enlightened the obsessed?
written by marco, April 07, 2010
I too have issues, on the receiving end of the obsession. I myself find that I too have some symptoms of obsession, but have found that I have the strenght to step away and calmly take things in the relationship, but my counter part seems to be struggling the most. She constantly states she cannot sleep at night, and is constantly questioning my emotions, so I'm beginning to feel trapped....I try to talk to her and convince her that doing daily life things is natural, and to keep busy, for she is truely a wonderful person to be with, but I'm afraid my patience will run out, and fear for my own safety has begun to occur.
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +0
Read this too late
written by Mike, April 14, 2010
I wish I had read this before I ever tried a relationship. This makes me realize that my previous marriage was one of my obsession. It drove her away and ultimately ended the relationship. Even scarier, I now realize that I am following the same path. I hope that the mere knowledge of this may help me to overcome this and remember the love that once was, but I fear that this problem may be too far gone smilies/sad.gif
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +0
Never used to be like that
written by Sophie, May 07, 2010
What started out as a great relationship turned sour when a fear of commitment (resulting from the scars of a bad marriage) created the need to explore what he might be missing out on. I tried to give him the room but ended up obsessing over not being "the one" & trying to keep him believing what he really needed was me. I'm a highly intelligent woman that just can't turn off the switch. I admit that. But what do you do when the object of your obsession won't let go either?
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +0
...
written by Hannah, June 14, 2010
I thought I may be obsessing then I looked at this and I'm not smilies/smiley.gif yay! lol I haven't talked to the guy I love all day and I'm fine I miss him and I wish he was here but I'm all right smilies/grin.gif
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +0
Can it change
written by concerned, June 28, 2010
If I am obsessed afraid of losin him and paranoid, can I turn this around to love. I do feel love but panic when we are not in touch, he works away. Can this change from obsession to more love, what do I need to do
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +0

Write comment
quote
bold
italicize
underline
strike
url
image
quote
quote
smile
wink
laugh
grin
angry
sad
shocked
cool
tongue
kiss
cry
smaller | bigger

busy