"Mistaking intense sexual experiences and new romantic excitement for love
Constantly craving and searching for a romantic relationship
When in a relationship, being desperate to please and fearful of the other’s unhappiness
When not in a relationship, feeling desperate and alone
Inability to maintain an intimate relationship once the newness and excitement have worn off
Finding it unbearable or emotionally difficult to be aloneWhen not in a relationship, compulsively using sex and fantasy to fill the loneliness
Choosing partners who are emotionally unavailable and/or verbally or physically abusive
Choosing partners who demand a great deal of attention and caretaking but who do not meet, or even try to meet, your emotional or physical needs
Participating in activities that don’t interest you or go against your personal values in order to keep or please a partnerGiving up important interests, beliefs, or friendships to maximize time in the relationship or to please a romantic partner
Using sex, seduction, and manipulation (guilt/shame) to “hook” or hold on to a partnerUsing sex or romantic intensity to tolerate difficult experiences or emotionsMissing out on important family, career, or social experiences to search for a romantic or sexual relationshipUsing anonymous sex, porn, or compulsive masturbation to avoid “needing” someone, thereby avoiding all relationships
Finding it difficult or impossible to leave unhealthy or abusive relationships despite repeated promises to oneself or others to do so
Repeatedly returning to previously unmanageable or painful relationships despite promises to oneself or others to not do so"