limerence
Romantic fixation state
Limerence is an intense, involuntary state of romantic infatuation characterized by obsessive thoughts about another person, desperate longing for reciprocation, and acute sensitivity to any sign of returned feeling.
The term was coined by psychologist Dorothy Tennov in 1979 to distinguish this consuming, often irrational passion from ordinary attraction or love.
A person in limerence may replay interactions endlessly, interpret neutral gestures as meaningful, and experience physical symptoms like racing heart or loss of appetite: His limerence made it impossible to concentrate on anything but her.
Compress with force
- smittenPowerfully attracted to someone
- enamoredFilled with ardent affection
- puppy loveImmature romantic attraction
- butterfliesFluttering insects or nervousness
swooning · lovestruck · besotted · moonstruck · twitterpated · head over heels · lovesick · starry-eyed
Intense prolonged craving
- piningAching with prolonged desire
- achingExperiencing dull pain
- cravingPowerful urge to have
- wistfulnessTender sadness for absence
heartache · unrequited love · unattainable · bittersweet · languishing · lovesickness · emotional hunger · waiting
Persistent mental attachment
- preoccupationAbsorbing mental focus
- intrusive thoughtsInvoluntary disturbing mental content
- overthinkingDwelling excessively on thoughts
- ruminationProlonged, repetitive thinking
compulsion · idealization · mental replay · hypervigilance · overanalysis · thought loops · jealousy · possessiveness
Intense triumphant joy
- ecstasyOverwhelming intense delight
- blissPerfect, serene felicity
- raptureOverwhelming ecstatic feeling
- intoxicationSubstance-induced mental impairment
exhilaration · giddiness · walking on air · cloud nine · rush · thrill · oxytocin · dopamine
Shared dependence or exchange
- signsDisplays conveying information
- signalsConveyed indications
- hopeDesire for good outcomes
- validationConfirming truth or accuracy
encouragement · mixed signals · ambiguity · uncertainty · reading into · interpretation · glances · texts
crush
Compress with force
- smittenPowerfully attracted to someone
- enamoredFilled with ardent affection
- puppy loveImmature romantic attraction
butterflies · swooning · lovestruck · besotted · moonstruck · twitterpated · head over heels · lovesick · starry-eyed · heartthrob
yearning
Intense prolonged craving
wistfulness · heartache · unrequited love · unattainable · bittersweet · languishing · lovesickness · emotional hunger · waiting · anticipation
fixation
Persistent mental attachment
- preoccupationAbsorbing mental focus
- intrusive thoughtsInvoluntary disturbing mental content
- overthinkingDwelling excessively on thoughts
rumination · compulsion · idealization · mental replay · hypervigilance · overanalysis · thought loops · jealousy · possessiveness · social media stalking
elation
Intense triumphant joy
- ecstasyOverwhelming intense delight
- blissPerfect, serene felicity
- raptureOverwhelming ecstatic feeling
intoxication · exhilaration · giddiness · walking on air · cloud nine · rush · thrill · oxytocin · dopamine · heart racing
mutuality
Shared dependence or exchange
validation · encouragement · mixed signals · ambiguity · uncertainty · reading into · interpretation · glances · texts · attention
limerenceequanimity
Unshakable mental steadiness
dispassion · indifference · apathy · detachment · composure
limerencesecure attachment
Reliable caregiver-child emotional bond
autonomy · self-possession · self-sufficiency · contentment · unconditional love
limerencedisinterest
Absence of bias
aversion · repulsion · friendship · disgust · antipathy