Women who are addicted to relationships may have low self-esteem and require an outside source to feel better. Some don’t know how to “be themselves” and may use compulsive behavior like indiscriminate sexual activity to feel better.

Qualities of a Love Addict:

• An exaggerated sense of responsibility for others’ actions
• A tendency to do more than necessary on a regular basis
• A tendency to become hurt when people don’t recognize their efforts
• An unhealthy dependence on relationships
• An extreme need for approval and recognition
• Feeling guilt when being assertive
• A compelling need for control
• A lack of trust in self and/or others
• Fear of being abandoned or alone
• Difficulty identifying feelings
• Problems with intimacy/boundaries
• Difficulty making decisions

Love addiction is often rooted in a person’s childhood; treatment often involves exploration into early childhood issues and their relationship to current destructive behavior patterns.