Limerence is a symptom of severe depression — not a condition of itself

Limerence is often misunderstood and conflated with other aspects of the human experience, such as painful love affairs, unrequited love, and unfulfilled desires. While these experiences are undeniably distressing, they are part of the broader human condition and should not be mistaken for limerence. Unlike the sadness or complex emotions associated with love, limerence is a distinct symptom rather than a standalone condition. At its core, limerence is a manifestation of a deeper illness—depression. This distinction is crucial because understanding the root cause is essential for addressing the issue effectively.

From my perspective as someone in recovery, I see limerence as a profound and destructive form of depression, characterized by a severe level of self-neglect. This neglect isn't just a consequence but a driving force behind limerence, as it often involves an obsessive focus on another person's needs, desires, or thoughts, sometimes even to the point of imagining them. This intense preoccupation comes at the cost of one's own well-being, leading to periods of extreme withdrawal, where one might find themselves bedridden, consumed by obsessive thoughts. Been there, done that.

I think limerence should be recognized as a symptom of an underlying condition, specifically depression. If you’re not depressed, I’m not sure if you can be limerent.

EDIT: wow thank you for these great and well argued responses and educating me! I can totally see how depression may not be the only source for limerence, but a variety of conditions, such as OCD, anxiety, ADHD, etc. I still feel that limerence is a symptom (not a condition in itself), but I can see how there can be multiple causes.