New Research Highlights Two Extremes in Love: Obsessive Attachment and Fear of Intimacy
In a recent analysis published by Forbes, a psychologist has shed new light on the two dramatic extremes in the spectrum of romantic relationships—intensely obsessive love, known as love mania, and a debilitating fear of love itself, described as philophobia. These findings are shaping contemporary understanding of how individuals relate to intimacy, with wide-ranging implications for mental health professionals and everyday people alike (Forbes.com).
For Thai readers, where cultural ideals often emphasise harmonious relationships and filial piety, this research is a timely reminder that the psychological underpinnings of love can be as complex as they are universal. In a society that values family cohesion and long-term commitment, understanding the extremes of emotional attachment—and detachment—may offer important insights for navigating everything from romantic partnerships to friendship and kinship.