Is Love Addiction a Diagnosable Disorder?
NEW YORK—A literature review unveiled what researchers are calling an “urgent need” for additional studies on love addiction to better understand the neurobiology behind the behavior and, consequently, how to classify and treat it.
Vineeth P. John, MD, MBA, and Marsal Sanches, MD, PhD, of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston reported their findings in a poster at the American Psychiatric Association’s annual meeting.
"Love addiction," as defined by the team, is a behavior pattern characterized by maladaptive and excessive interest in romantic partners. People addicted to love often abandon other interests and demonstrate a lack of control with negative results, the researchers explained. A high degree of psychological suffering often accompanies the behavior, which sometimes co-occurs with substance dependence or other behavioral addictions involving gambling or sex.
But is love addiction itself, a real, diagnosable disorder? To discover more on the pathophysiology thought to be associated with love addiction, the research team reviewed existing studies and found that most neurobiological evidence was actually inferred from research involving normal romantic experiences. That existing research points to potential involvement of dopamine rewards and attachment-related biological systems in people demonstrating love addiction.
Regarding treatment, the research team found few studies addressing the effectiveness of potential psychotherapeutic treatments, such as self-help groups, cognitive behavioral therapy, or psychodynamic psychotherapy. In addition, studies to date have failed to evaluate the potential use of pharmacologic agents to manage symptoms, such as obsessive thoughts, mood instability, impulsiveness, and impaired attachments.
According to the team, love addiction could simply be an addiction but could also be associated with obsessive compulsive disorder, a mood disorder, or—although rare—part of a psychotic disorder that causes erotomania.
—Jolynn Tumolo
Reference
“Love Addiction. Neurobiological and Therapeutic Aspects.” Abstract presented at the American Psychiatric Association Meeting. May 6, 2014.
