8 Signs That Tell You Are Addicted To Relationship

Being addicted to a relationship refers to a state where an individual becomes overly reliant on being in a romantic relationship to the point where it negatively impacts their life. This type of addiction can manifest in a variety of ways, such as constantly seeking out new relationships or remaining in unhealthy relationships despite the negative consequences.

Addiction to a relationship can have many negative effects on an individual's mental and emotional well-being. For example, it can lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem, as well as a lack of independence and self-care. Additionally, individuals who are addicted to relationships may find it difficult to form healthy relationships in the future, as they may struggle with boundaries and developing a sense of self outside of the relationship.

It's essential to note that addiction to a relationship is not an officially recognized mental health disorder, but rather a behavioral pattern that may be indicative of underlying mental health issues such as codependency or attachment disorders. As with any addiction, seeking professional help from a therapist or counselor can be an effective way to address and overcome addiction to a relationship.

# Relationships define you

Initially, many individuals may assert that their relationships do not define them. However, upon closer examination, consider the following: During an argument with your partner, do you experience a sense of the world collapsing around you? Do you believe that you have nothing left if the relationship ends, or that your failure as a person is contingent on the failure of the relationship? If you answered affirmatively, or even hesitantly, to any of these questions, it is possible that you are grappling with an addiction to relationships.

# Your relationships overpower your pain

When we experience emotional pain, we often resort to coping mechanisms to alleviate it. Some individuals turn to substances like drugs or alcohol, while others seek solace in relationships. If you have experienced trauma, even if it is repressed, you may use a relationship as a means of diversion. By focusing on the joys and sorrows of the relationship, you are effectively overwhelmed and unable to confront the root of your suffering.

# Your partners make you nervous

If you experience persistent unease in your relationship, it is not contributing positively to your life. When you are constantly tiptoeing around your partner to avoid conflict or preoccupied with potential issues, it can become all-consuming and consume your life.

# You think you won’t survive without a relationship

An evident indication that you may be addicted to relationships is an irrational and overwhelming fear of a relationship ending. Even if you are dissatisfied and desire to end the relationship, the mere prospect of it concluding fills you with terror.

Your addiction may compel you to believe that being in a relationship, regardless of your happiness, is necessary. However, once you address and overcome your addiction, you will recognize that your well-being and contentment are paramount.

# You don’t trust your partner, but you stay anyway

If you remain in a relationship despite a lack of trust, it may be a sign that you are addicted to your partner and the relationship. The absence of trust creates an unstable foundation, which can intensify your fixation on the relationship as you begin to overthink and excessively scrutinize your partner's actions.

Ironically, you may believe that enduring a distrustful relationship is preferable to being single, even if it comes at the cost of your peace of mind.

# You don’t trust yourself

If you lack confidence in your own decision-making abilities, it is likely that you recognize, at some level, that this person and relationship are not beneficial for you. Despite this awareness, you may persist in the relationship because you feel obligated to do so.

# You break up and get back together a lot

If you have reunited with your partner after a breakup on one or two occasions, it may not necessarily indicate a relationship addiction. However, if this behavior is a recurrent pattern, there is likely an underlying reason for it. Typically, couples end their relationship for a valid reason.

However, if you continually reunite with your partner, disregarding the initial reason for the breakup and repeating the cycle, it may be indicative of a relationship addiction. You may have become addicted to the emotional turmoil of the breakup and the euphoric high of reuniting with your partner.

# You choose your partner over everything else

Do you frequently cancel social engagements with friends and family to be with your partner, and consistently prioritize their desires over your own? Are you unable to make time for yourself?

While it is natural to want to please our partners, individuals with a relationship addiction often prioritize their partner's happiness above their own.