It’s not uncommon to meet someone and fall head over heels, despite barely knowing them. You think it’s love. You float through the day, lost in fantasies of marriage, shared futures, and endless laughter.

But when the euphoria fades, especially if things end badly, the aftermath can leave you reeling. This is the consequence of a phenomenon called limerence.

Limerence is all-consuming infatuation: obsessive thoughts, emotional dependency, and a desperate need for reciprocation. It can turn love into both a euphoric high and an exhausting struggle. The deeper your attachment, the stronger the fear of losing them becomes, which can trap you in a cycle of anxiety and desperation.

Here are two reasons why it happens and how to break free before it takes over.

When your crush compliments you, you’re on cloud nine. The next day, they seem distant, and you feel crushed. In a healthy, loving relationship, your........

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