Butterflies in the stomach jumping with excitement sweating with nervousness wondering whether it is true love of infatuation?
It is natural and actually quite easy for anyone to fall in, well, infatuation! It is also not a bad idea to enjoy the feeling alone or with the other, but, it is really not a good idea to get carried away with the feeling and mistake it for love! So, to make things a simpler for the young hearts out there, here are some of the common symptoms of infatuation
There are some feelings we have when infatuated that we dont have when were feeling love. Some of these symptoms are; feelings of panic, uncertainty, overpowering lust, feverish excitement, impatience, and/or jealously.
When infatuated, we are thrilled, but not happy, wanting to trust, yet suspicious. There are lingering, nagging doubts about our partner in infatuation and their love for us. Were miserable when theyre away, almost like were not complete unless were with them. Its a rush and its intense. Its difficult to concentrate. And most infatuated relationships have a high degree of sexual charge around them. Somehow being with him is not complete unless in ends in some type of sexual encounter.
Love, on the contrary is very much different. Love is a more peaceful, beautiful, and persistent feeling. There is no fear or uncontrollable excitement, just a simple heart-whelming feeling.
Then why do we become infatuated? Where does it come from?
Infatuation is biological, love is psychological! As animals we are supposed to get infatuated frequently and engage in sexual behaviour with the opposite sex! As social beings, we certainly prefer a more beautiful, a more meaningful life.
When infatuated, we experience a surge of dopamine that rushes through the brain causing us to feel good. Norepinephrine flows through the brain stimulating production of adrenaline resulting in a pounding heart! Phenylethalimine (interestingly, also found in chocolates) creates a feeling of bliss (now we know why chocolate mkes the best gift in a young relationship!). Irrational romantic sentiments may be caused by oxytocin, a primary sexual arousal hormone that signals feelings of emotional attachment. Together these chemicals sometimes override the brain activity that governs logic. The body can build up tolerances to these chemicals so it takes more of the substance to get that special feeling of infatuation.
When the chemical flood dries up, the relationship either moves into a loving romantic one or there is disillusionment, and the relationship ends.
This also means that most long-lasting relations start off as a simple infatuation. So, you do not need to run away from the illusion just understand the phenomenon so that you know when you have truly hunted out your Mr. Right! And until then enjoy the bubbly feeling!
