Lovesickness describes the informal syndrome of rejected or unrequited love
Lovesickness describes the informal syndrome of rejected or unrequited love

or the absence of a loved one and covers physical as well as mental symptoms. It
or the absence of a loved one and covers physical as well as mental symptoms. It

is not to be confused with the condition of being lovestruck. Although typically
is not to be confused with the condition of being lovestruck. Although typically

harmless it can for some personalities lead to serious physical or mental
harmless it can for some personalities lead to serious physical or mental

illness, sometimes even culminating in attempted suicide. In psychology,
illness, sometimes even culminating in attempted suicide. In psychology,

lovesickness is seldom acknowledged. Many people believe lovesickness to be
lovesickness is seldom acknowledged. Many people believe lovesickness to be

an illness created as an explanation to longings, but it can cause depression
an illness created as an explanation to longings, but it can cause depression

and lead to various mental health problems. Lovesickness can make one feel
and lead to various mental health problems. Lovesickness can make one feel

either extremely sad and disappointed or very happy and over-excited.
either extremely sad and disappointed or very happy and over-excited.

Love as mental illness Literature and poetry have often
Love as mental illness Literature and poetry have often

described love as a kind of madness, and the medical profession takes a similar
described love as a kind of madness, and the medical profession takes a similar

approach. According to the Hippocratic Medicine view, passionate love will
approach. According to the Hippocratic Medicine view, passionate love will

almost always fade or turn into 'love melancholy’ — this is a form of
almost always fade or turn into 'love melancholy’ — this is a form of

depression or sadness. Passionate love is the love in the "honeymoon phase",
depression or sadness. Passionate love is the love in the "honeymoon phase",

the beginning of new love, but it burns itself out after a year or two,
the beginning of new love, but it burns itself out after a year or two,

compassionate love is what occurs after passionate love fades, it is a stronger
compassionate love is what occurs after passionate love fades, it is a stronger

bond of companionship. In both cases, lovesickness can be experienced if love
bond of companionship. In both cases, lovesickness can be experienced if love

is lost or unrequited. In 1915, Sigmund Freud asked
is lost or unrequited. In 1915, Sigmund Freud asked

rhetorically, "Isn't what we mean by 'falling in love' a kind of sickness and
rhetorically, "Isn't what we mean by 'falling in love' a kind of sickness and

craziness, an illusion, a blindness to what the loved person is really like.
craziness, an illusion, a blindness to what the loved person is really like.

Long before Freud, in 360 B.C.E, Plato stated, “Love is a serious mental
Long before Freud, in 360 B.C.E, Plato stated, “Love is a serious mental

disease,” and Socrates added that “Love is a madness”. Love sickness isn’t just
disease,” and Socrates added that “Love is a madness”. Love sickness isn’t just

a form of expression for those head-over-heels, but has been studied as
a form of expression for those head-over-heels, but has been studied as

an actual illness. Scientific study on the topic of
an actual illness. Scientific study on the topic of

lovesickness has found that those in love experience a kind of high similar
lovesickness has found that those in love experience a kind of high similar

to that cause by illicit drugs such as cocaine. In the brain, certain
to that cause by illicit drugs such as cocaine. In the brain, certain

neurotransmitters — phenethylamine, dopamine, norepinephrine and oxytocin —
neurotransmitters — phenethylamine, dopamine, norepinephrine and oxytocin —

elicit the feeling of high from “love” or “falling in love” using twelve
elicit the feeling of high from “love” or “falling in love” using twelve

different regions of the brain. These neurotransmitters mimic the feeling of
different regions of the brain. These neurotransmitters mimic the feeling of

amphetamines. On average a psychologist does not get
amphetamines. On average a psychologist does not get

referrals from general practitioners mentioning "lovesickness", although this
referrals from general practitioners mentioning "lovesickness", although this

can be prevalent through the language of what the patient feels. With the common
can be prevalent through the language of what the patient feels. With the common

symptoms of lovesickness being related to other mental diseases, it is often
symptoms of lovesickness being related to other mental diseases, it is often

misdiagnosed or it is found that with all the illnesses one could be facing,
misdiagnosed or it is found that with all the illnesses one could be facing,

love is the underlying problem. This is incredibly dangerous when one does not
love is the underlying problem. This is incredibly dangerous when one does not

seek help or cannot cope because love has been known to be fatal.
seek help or cannot cope because love has been known to be fatal.

Symptoms Frank Tallis, a researcher in the topic
Symptoms Frank Tallis, a researcher in the topic

of love and lovesickness, suggests in his 2005 article that lovesickness
of love and lovesickness, suggests in his 2005 article that lovesickness

occurs when one is “truly, madly, deeply” in love and should be taken more
occurs when one is “truly, madly, deeply” in love and should be taken more

seriously by medical professionals. Similarly, health experts agree that
seriously by medical professionals. Similarly, health experts agree that

lovesickness has been known to kill and the diagnosis process should be taken
lovesickness has been known to kill and the diagnosis process should be taken

more seriously. Symptoms of lovesickness are usually misdiagnosed for various
more seriously. Symptoms of lovesickness are usually misdiagnosed for various

other diseases or mental health issues such as OCD, this is because love
other diseases or mental health issues such as OCD, this is because love

sickness is less commonly recognized as a mental health issue in itself even
sickness is less commonly recognized as a mental health issue in itself even

though lovesickness is an extremely common, widespread disease.
though lovesickness is an extremely common, widespread disease.

Tallis includes a list of common symptoms of love sickness:
Tallis includes a list of common symptoms of love sickness:

Mania - an abnormally elevated mood or inflated self-esteem
Mania - an abnormally elevated mood or inflated self-esteem

Depression Nausea
Depression Nausea

Tearfulness Insomnia, which may lead to fatigue
Tearfulness Insomnia, which may lead to fatigue

Lack of concentration Loss of appetite or overeating
Lack of concentration Loss of appetite or overeating

Hopelessness or helplessness Stress - high blood pressure, pain in
Hopelessness or helplessness Stress - high blood pressure, pain in

chest and heart, acute insomnia; sometimes brought on by a "crush"
chest and heart, acute insomnia; sometimes brought on by a "crush"

Obsessive-Compulsive disorder - Preoccupation and hoarding valueless but
Obsessive-Compulsive disorder - Preoccupation and hoarding valueless but

superstitiously resonant items Psychologically created physical
superstitiously resonant items Psychologically created physical

symptoms, such as upset stomach, change in appetite, insomnia, dizziness, and
symptoms, such as upset stomach, change in appetite, insomnia, dizziness, and

confusion According to Tallis, many symptoms of
confusion According to Tallis, many symptoms of

being lovesick can be categorized under the DSM-IV and the ICD-10.
being lovesick can be categorized under the DSM-IV and the ICD-10.

Obsessive-Compulsive disorder is a symptom of lovesickness because it
Obsessive-Compulsive disorder is a symptom of lovesickness because it

includes a preoccupation, this would include constantly checking one's
includes a preoccupation, this would include constantly checking one's

cellphone, Facebook, the hoarding of valueless items, etc. A further study
cellphone, Facebook, the hoarding of valueless items, etc. A further study

conducted by Italian Psychiatrist Donatella Marazitti found that when
conducted by Italian Psychiatrist Donatella Marazitti found that when

people fall in love their estimated serotonin levels drop to levels found in
people fall in love their estimated serotonin levels drop to levels found in

patients with OCD, this level is significantly lower than that of an
patients with OCD, this level is significantly lower than that of an

average or healthy person. Literature
average or healthy person. Literature

William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet portrays the true madness of "love" and
William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet portrays the true madness of "love" and

the grief that the two young, infatuated lovers feel. When Romeo finds his love
the grief that the two young, infatuated lovers feel. When Romeo finds his love

dead, with the thought of living without his "true love", the grief and
dead, with the thought of living without his "true love", the grief and

depression overcomes him and he takes his own life. Juliet, after awaking and
depression overcomes him and he takes his own life. Juliet, after awaking and

upon seeing his dead body is also overcome with despair and takes her own
upon seeing his dead body is also overcome with despair and takes her own

life. See also
life. See also

Broken heart Hi-wa itck, a Mojave Indian syndrome
Broken heart Hi-wa itck, a Mojave Indian syndrome

triggered by separation of a loved one Limerence
triggered by separation of a loved one Limerence

References Further reading
References Further reading

Frank Tallis Love Sick: Love as a Mental Illness
Frank Tallis Love Sick: Love as a Mental Illness

Tricia Vaughn Love sickness is real, and the high it provides looks a lot like
Tricia Vaughn Love sickness is real, and the high it provides looks a lot like

cocaine usage
cocaine usage