Citation

Walter H. Nervenheilkd. 2021; 40(12): 963-976.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, Georg Thieme Verlag)

DOI

10.1055/a-1650-2810

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Lovesickness, the emotional reaction to romantic rejection, is a normal part of life and usually not considered to be a mental disorder. Nonetheless, it can do a lot of harm and is an important risk factor for suicide in adolescence and early adulthood. This paper examines lovesickness in detail. Its psychology, neurobiology and therapy is discussed, the question is asked whether it can be more than an adjustment disorder and its sociological context and its future is investigated. The conclusion is drawn that lovesickness should be given more attention in psychiatry and psychotherapy. In addition, lovesickness can be a model for psychiatric research to investigate and better understand aspects of stress related disorders like adjustment disorders, prolonged grief disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and addiction. © 2021 Georg Thieme Verlag. All rights reserved.

Language: de

Keywords

human; psychotherapy; depression; addiction; psychology; posttraumatic stress disorder; Love; love; grief; medical literature; neurobiology; adjustment disorder; Article; complicated grief; lovesickness; romantic rejection