Disability Resource Directory

Am I Crazy in Love or Just Crazy?

It is absolutely normal for people in love to think about each other; long to be together and even have lustful feelings. However, when these thoughts interrupt daily life, or become obsessive to the point where you have the urge to do inappropriate or absurd things, the problem will probably need to be addressed.

There is a shocking similarity between those people who claim to be in love and those who have obsessive compulsive disorder.  In fact, recent research has shown that the brain behavior is nearly the same because it all is on a chemical level.  Researchers have found that individuals that are in love have lower serotonin levels in their blood, a similarity that people with obsessive-compulsive disorder, otherwise known as OCD can relate to too well.  So, how do you know if you are truly in love or just crazy?  How do you know if you have a healthy desire or a "sick" obsession?  This article will help you figure out.

It is absolutely normal for people in love to think about each other; long to be together and even have lustful feelings.  However, when these thoughts interrupt daily life, or become obsessive to the point where you have the urge to do inappropriate or absurd things, the problem will probably need to be addressed.  For example, if you find yourself stalking your partner, or showing up at all hours of the night just to see what he or she is up to, that is a big red flag.  People with obsessive compulsive disorder will constantly be thinking the same thoughts over and over in their head, no matter how illogical they really are.  If you find yourself doing this, get help, it will be necessary to salvage a true relationship.

Remember, the initial "love" feelings are usually temporary.  If you find that your thoughts and feelings change over the short term, OCD may not be the issue.  In other words, if you are able to stabilize your feelings, they may just be genuine.  If you find that no matter what you do, you can't make the thoughts go away, even when you want to, the chemicals in your brain may be to blame.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Case Study A partner that suffers from the checking variation of the disorder finds the need to check and recheck everything they do and in some cases, everything their partner does as well. This can bring up feelings of resentment and distrust if it is handled. They ultimately have a fear that they will forget something that will have disastrous consequences, and they will be to blame. The partner that is not affected by the OCD will have to learn not to take checking behaviors personally in order for the relationship to work. Obsessive thought patterns can also pose a threat to a relationship. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Articles

Next time you find yourself alone with your partner, pay attention to yourself.  Do you constantly go over the same thoughts in your head when you are with them?  Do you compulsively ask yourself anything like, am I making him happy enough?  Sometimes obsessive compulsive individuals will even advert themselves from a conversation unknowingly because they are too caught up "checking" things out in their head.  Say for example, you made a nice dinner for your beloved and you of course, want to make sure everything is perfect.  So, in your mind you look around your home, the kitchen table, the food or whatever it may be, and go over the same thing in your head, checking to make sure everything is perfect.  People with OCD can relate to this feeling and it can be overwhelming because you feel like it never is good enough, even though everything is exactly how you want it.

When it comes down to it, whether or not you are truly crazy in love or crazy really doesn't matter when it comes to maintaining a relationship.  Either way, you do not want to come across as crazy.

Obsessive Compulsive Behavior

05/12/2008
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To publicize meetings and events, submit the groups name, meeting time and meeting location in writing no later than th...

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05/16/2008
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