Why does falling for someone so often feel like a painful obsession? In episode 144 of Overthink, Ellie and David discuss the unspoken difficulties of limerence, or the state of falling in love. What is the difference between love and limerence, and why do we confuse them so frequently? How does social media fuel limerent reactions? And is limerence inherent ... Show More
Jul 2025
Think It’s Love? 5 Signs It’s Obsession (And It’ll Never Last)
How do you know if it’s love or obsession? What does it mean when you can’t stop thinking about someone who doesn’t return your feelings? In this episode, Matthew, Stephen, and Audrey talk about the phenomenon of limerence, how it can leave you always clinging to hope in dating, ... Show More
1h 22m
Sep 2025
Overcoming romantic obsession
When a crush turns into a harmful obsession, you might experience limerence, romantic infatuation characterized by extreme emotional highs and lows, intrusive thoughts and idealization. In this episode, we talk to neuroscientist Tom Bellamy, author of the book Smitten, about how ... Show More
22m 26s
Aug 2024
Overthinking About Crushes
Before the internet, getting lost in a spiral of romantic, obsessive feelings for someone was already an all-consuming experience… but now? With algorithmic dating apps and the ability to overanalyze everyone watching your Instagram Stories, crushes in the digital age are ripe fo ... Show More
58m 23s
Aug 2025
#21: How to Get Over Someone Who’s Not Interested in You
If you’ve ever been stuck thinking about someone who doesn’t feel the same way, you know how painful and exhausting it can be. In this episode, we talk about limerence — the intense infatuation that feels like love, but is actually emotional obsession.You’ll learn:What limerence ... Show More
11m 15s
Sep 2025
Limerance & Why You Can't Get Them Out Of Your Head
Dr. K unpacks the intense, destabilizing experience of limerance—the obsessive, all consuming “crush” that can hijack your thoughts, emotions, and even your sense of self. He explains how limerance isn’t just infatuation, but a powerful mental state fueled by unmet needs, anxious ... Show More
58m 11s
Aug 2025
Limerence: The Psychology of Romantic Obsession with Brandy Wyant
Forrest and therapist Brandy Wyant discuss limerence, an intense and often one-sided state of romantic obsession. They explore how limerence differs from both love and ordinary crushes, why uncertainty fuels it, and how it can take over a person’s inner world. Brandy shares both ... Show More
1h 4m
Jun 2024
160 - Limerence (like really, really obsessed)
This episode is for when you're obsessed. We're talking like really, really obsessed. You know, thinking about them 24x7, imagining you see them everywhere you go - hoping for a chance encounter? Basically, mad fantasy bonding. And this episode? It's to help you understand that y ... Show More
56m 20s