Limerence is a psychological state of intense infatuation, often marked by an obsessive longing for someone’s attention, affection, and reciprocation. Unlike genuine love, limerence distorts reality by making the object of affection appear flawless and ideal, even when they aren’t. This emotional high leads people to project fantasies onto others, ignoring their imperfections and focusing only on an idealized image that rarely aligns with reality. Limerence is both exhilarating and disorienting, creating a false narrative that can deeply impact emotional well-being and relationships.

1. What Is Limerence?

Limerence, first introduced by psychologist Dorothy Tennov in the 1970s, refers to an intense, often obsessive attraction to another person. This state of mind differs from love, as it tends to be one-sided and driven by an idealized version of the person, rather than a deep connection. While love involves mutual respect, understanding, and emotional intimacy, limerence thrives on the longing for validation, often without reciprocation.

Key signs of limerence include:

• Longing for reciprocation: An overwhelming need for the other person’s approval or affection.
• Intrusive thoughts: Constantly thinking about the person, even when you try to focus on other things.
• Idealization: Seeing the person through a lens of perfection, ignoring flaws or creating unrealistic expectations.
• Emotional dependency: Your mood is tied to how the person interacts with you, causing emotional highs and lows based on small moments.

2. The Illusion of Seeing People for What They Aren’t

When you’re in limerence, the person becomes a symbol of everything you desire in a partner. You project your fantasies onto them, believing they possess qualities they may not have. This skewed perception leads to idealization, projection of desires, and a willful ignorance of red flags.

Idealization

Limerence leads you to idealize your crush, making them seem perfect. You might excuse or overlook behaviors that would otherwise raise concern, exaggerating positive traits to match the fantasy you’ve constructed. If they’re kind to you once, you might over-interpret that moment as a sign of deep affection, despite other signs that may indicate otherwise.

Projection of Desires

You may start to believe that the person shares your hopes and dreams, even if there’s no real evidence. Limerence causes you to see what you want to see, convincing yourself that neutral or indifferent behavior is a sign of deeper feelings. You may misinterpret casual interactions as romantic gestures.

Ignoring Red Flags

One of the dangers of limerence is the tendency to ignore or downplay red flags. The person may be unavailable, uninterested, or even dismissive, but in a state of limerence, you rationalize these behaviors. This sets the stage for future disappointment when the reality doesn’t align with the fantasy you’ve created.

3. The Emotional Rollercoaster

Limerence creates a cycle of emotional highs and lows, often leaving you on an emotional rollercoaster. A single interaction can bring elation, while the smallest sign of disinterest can cause deep feelings of rejection and despair. This emotional instability is exhausting and unsustainable.

The Highs

In limerence, the smallest gesture—a smile, a kind word, or a brief conversation—can make you feel euphoric. These moments fuel the illusion that the person shares your feelings, and you may spend hours daydreaming about a future with them.

The Lows

On the flip side, when the person pulls away or doesn’t respond as you’d hoped, the emotional pain can be severe. Rejection, even in small forms, causes anxiety, insecurity, and sadness. The highs are fleeting, while the lows often feel all-consuming.

Breaking Free From Limerence

While limerence can feel all-encompassing, it’s important to recognize when your perception of someone is unrealistic. By becoming aware of the difference between genuine love and limerence, you can begin to challenge the fantasies and projections that keep you stuck.