meaning of infatuation

Infatuation

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For other uses, see Infatuation (disambiguation).

Infatuation is the state of being completely carried away by unreasoning passion or love; addictive love. Infatuation usually occurs at the beginning of relationship when sexual attraction is central. It is characterized by urgency, intensity, sexual desire, and anxiety, in which there is an extreme absorption in another. The relationship may have insecurity, distrust, lack of confidence, and the feeling of being threatened. There may be nagging doubts and unanswered questions, so the partner remains unexamined so as not to spoil the dream.

Infatuation is based on fantasy and is often consuming and exhausting. It contributes to low self-esteem because the person looks to the partner for validation and affirmation of self worth. Both people feel they need the other in order to feel complete, and feel discomfort with individual differences. Sometimes both people tear down or criticize each other.

Partners may rush into certain things, like sex or marriage, and they have a strong sense of urgency so as not to lose their partner. One person is threatened by the other's individual growth, so the relationship may not be enduring, because it lacks firm foundation. Infatuation can be part of learning about love. Some relationships that begin as infatuation later develop into love. However, relationships built solely on infatuation usually do not work out well. They usually end when the fantasies on which they are built fade away.