Here’s what lovesickness is all about, plus how to get past it, from experts.
What does it mean to be “lovesick”?
From obsessive thoughts to feelings of anxiety to loss of appetite, lovesickness can be all-consuming.
Nunez adds that it’s important to note being lovesick is not the same as genuinely being in love.
In this way, lovesickness is similar tolimerence, or an intense infatuation.
But limerence and love are not the same thing.
If anything, limerence can be considered the fool’s gold of love."
Nausea
Along with affecting behavior, being lovesick can cause a range of physical symptoms.
This can also lead to loss of appetite, she adds.
And the longer the bout of lovesickness goes on, the more exhausted you may become.
She adds this can affect your behavior even further, potentially exacerbating irrational behavior or other symptoms.
Headaches may be especially prominent if you’re having difficulty sleepingand they’ll also contribute to irritability, too.
“People have a fear of abandonment, right?
How to get through it:
Go no-contact.
Don’t look at their social media.
“Social media can be a curse in that sense that, you know.
You’re constantly trying to see what they’re doing,” she adds.
(Here’s more onhow social media can affect relationships.)
Notice your thought patterns.
Start to become aware of those looping thought patterns around this person, Nunez suggests.
Take the person’s words and actions at face value.
If the affection isn’t reciprocated, you’ll have to accept it eventually.
Clear your head.
Understand your own nonnegotiables.
So, figure out whatyournonnegotiables are, Nunez says.
Focus on your self-worth.
When we boost our sense of self-worth, we don’t tolerate less than we deserve.
The bottom line.
Being lovesick isn’t a pleasant experience, butreal loveshould be.
It may take some time, but eventually, your symptoms will fade.
