Three keys: How to distinguish love from emotional addiction

Being in love with someone is a divine feeling, which when reciprocated has the power to give you wings. However, it often happens that a good part of us do not distinguish between love and attachment to someone, which can often lead to a toxic relationship.

The fact is that everyone wants to be loved. It makes us feel good in our own skin, because we have someone who respects us and cares about us. However, sometimes there can be unhealthy forms of attachment in a love relationship, which can totally destroy it. Women's magazine reveals the key differences between true love and unhealthy attachment to someone.

Egocentricity in relation to unconditional love

Being attached to someone feeds that person's ego. On the other hand, true love is selfless. When you share a true bond with someone, you care about making that person happy without expecting anything in return. All you care about is your partner's happiness. It is completely irrelevant if there are quarrels and disagreements between you, because you sincerely love each other.

Attachment, on the other hand, is more like a transaction where you keep track of what the other person has done for you. The focus is on how that person makes you feel. If you are unhealthily attached to someone, you may feel insecure and try to use manipulation tactics to ensure that your partner does not leave you.

Dominance in bringing to freedom

When you are unhealthily attached to your partner, your insecurities and fear of abandonment fill your head with negative thoughts and emotions that make you distrust them and want to control their behavior. In addition to manipulation, there is also emotional blackmail, which serves to keep the person you are in a relationship with on a "short chain". In such a situation, you are the dominant person in the relationship.

In contrast, true love knows no limits. There is no manipulation or dominance in the story with her. You both feel free to be who you are.

Dependence versus support

When you are unhealthy attached to someone, you are actually dependent on that person. You rely on her for absolutely everything: from attention to validation to self-esteem. That person boosts your ego and makes you feel good in your own skin. You need her to take care of you and you seem to be incomplete without her. These unhealthy patterns of behavior leave you petrified at the thought of one day breaking up.

When it comes to true love, you don't need to cling to your loved one. You are happy and satisfied with yourself and your loved one is actually a gift to your life, which you appreciate, respect and are ready to give all your support to.