“Might as well face it, you’re addicted to love.” These classic Robert Palmer lyrics may be fun to dance to, but they describe a less-than-ideal situation. The search for love is fun and exciting, but for some, it’s downright addicting. Are you addicted to dating? If so, what could you do to fix it? We will answer these questions and more to reveal the hidden causes of dating addiction.
Being Addicted to the Hunt
For some, dating addiction is all about the chase. Think of the rush you felt when you received your first kiss, or when a crush finally said yes to going out with you. The puppy love stage of every relationship is new and exciting, but it does not last forever. There eventually comes a point when the crush stage fades and the real love begins to form. If you constantly search for the high of a first kiss, you will always feel unfulfilled.
Assigning a High Value to Love (Or the Concept of Love)
Do you feel like your mission in life is to find a partner? That you won’t be whole until you find your ‘other half’? There is nothing wrong with wanting love, but it shouldn’t be your sole focus. If you set your sights on dating alone, you may miss out on the wonderful events going on around you. If love comes into your life, great. But don’t let the search for love stop you from living the rest of your life.
Valuing Yourself Based on Someone Else’s Perception
Another component of dating addiction is low self-esteem. You may not be happy with the way you look, your status in life, or other element. When someone new comes along to compliment you, you feel better about yourself. This is not a healthy cycle though. You should know your own self-worth. You have countless great qualities about you, and you deserve to know what they are. Take some time to assess how truly special you are as a person, and hold onto that.
Building your self-esteem is not always easy. You may have experiences and memories from the past that are keeping you in this mindset – a verbally abusive relationship, a belittling parent, bullying, etc. If you work with a therapist, you can bring closure to the past and improve your outlook on the future. Our therapists in Memphis, TN work with people of all ages, and they can help you get through the depression and anxiety that are holding you back. Give us a call to schedule an appointment with a therapist near you.
Assuming There’s Always Something Better out There
The prevalence of social media and dating apps has conditioned us to believe that there are endless possibilities out there. If you carry this mindset, you may assume that there is always someone better out there for you. You focus on finding flaws, rather than embracing similarities. The second that something goes wrong in the relationship, you get out of it.
Every relationship is going to have problems. That’s the nature of human interaction. Your ability to work through those problems will determine how successful the relationship is. Ignore the what-ifs and enjoy the right-nows. You might be surprised by how green the grass really is on your side of the fence.
Conquering Depression to Curb Dating Addiction
Depression is often at the core of dating addiction. Low self-esteem, commitment issues, fear of being alone – all of these factors stem from depression. There is something from your past that is causing you to fall into these unhealthy habits. By working through your depression, you can approach dating from a much better angle.
MHR Memphis offers depression treatment in Memphis, TN. We use tested and proven methods to pinpoint the root cause of depression and conquer it from the source. Our depression treatment experts personalize their therapy plans to fit each person individually. No matter what you’ve gone through or what your goals may be, a depression therapist can assist you. Contact our office at (901) 682-6136 to schedule a confidential appointment with a depression therapist in Memphis, TN.