Health · Mental Health · 9 hrs ago
Recognizing obsessive attachment may help prevent some stalking
Limerence is described as an intense, obsessive attachment to someone, often with a strong desire for that person’s attention.
Unlike a passing crush, these feelings can last for years and involve repeatedly thinking about whether the other person might return them.
The discussion says limerence can sometimes progress to stalking, but does not always do so.
Social media and other online platforms can make it easier to monitor someone and sustain a one-sided fantasy without contacting them.
This matters because stalking can harm the person being watched, while obsessive thoughts can also cause distress and disrupt the person experiencing them.
The suggested approach is to notice intrusive, fixated behavior early, including when someone seeks help, and support better self-regulation before it develops into harmful actions.
No specific next steps or policy changes are described.
Recognizing obsessive attachment, which researchers call limerence, may help identify behavior that could develop into stalking.
Limerence involves intense longing for another person’s attention and can include fixation, obsession and rumination.
The article says limerence is not always a precursor to stalking, and its traits have not necessarily developed into actions that frighten the target.
Social media and digital devices can enable people to monitor others and sustain fantasies without contacting them.
The article argues that prevention may involve noticing intrusive thoughts and supporting positive self-regulation.
- Who
- People experiencing limerence, and the people they focus on.
- What
- The article examines how recognizing obsessive attachment may help prevent some stalking.
- When
- Published October 11, 2026. The cited research was published in 2025.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- The article says identifying obsessive, intrusive thoughts and other warning signs may help address risk before behavior progresses to stalking.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
obsessive attachment
highly clandestine manner
Paula Bradbury et al. investigated limerence as a possible precursor to stalking.
Psychology Today published an article arguing that recognizing precursor behavior may help prevent stalking.
- Research year
- 2025
- Publication date
- October 11, 2026
- Research authors
- Paula Bradbury et al.
- Term
- Limerence
- Digital platforms named
- TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn
Sources
Related news
Couples urged to consider consensual masturbation as a shared sexual option
Fathers’ Regret Can Reflect What They Lost in Themselves
Psychotherapist links anxiety, anger and creativity
Mother’s work commitment clashes with urgent care for her daughter
A Weekly, Structured Conversation May Help Couples Raise Concerns
Changes in communication and affection may signal marital withdrawal
Review says rising youth distress is real and services are falling short
Study links cannabis-related anxiety in mice to central amygdala neurons
Testing Hidden Assumptions Can Help Build Self-Validation
Young carers in Western Australia say care duties limit their childhood and studies
Behavioral parent training can help neurodivergent children, evidence suggests
