Research identifies spectrum of love addiction and attachment anxiety

New research published in Sexual Health & Compulsivity suggests that love addiction should be viewed as a spectrum rather than a binary disorder. The study indicates that while individuals at risk for problematic romance and those with clinical love addiction share similar struggles with emotional regulation and self-image, a clear dividing line exists regarding the severity of psychological symptoms.

Clinical cases are characterized by significantly higher levels of relationship anxiety and intense attachment anxiety. Love addiction is described as a pattern of obsessive and dependent involvement in a romantic relationship, where the partner becomes the absolute center of life. This often leads to a compulsive need for constant approval, reassurance, and closeness, frequently at the expense of work, friendships, and personal interests.

Because love addiction lacks standardized diagnostic criteria in current psychiatric manuals, researchers utilized a bottom-up approach to examine psychological dimensions like personality and relational traits. Patrizia Velotti, a professor of clinical psychology at Sapienza University of Rome, noted that while the topic is increasingly discussed, there remains significant debate regarding its exact classification.