Being Well Podcast: Limerence: The Psychology of Romantic Obsession with Brandy Wyant
In this episode of the Being Well Podcast, Forrest and therapist Brandy Wyant discuss limerence, an intense and often one-sided state of romantic obsession. They explore how limerence differs from both love and ordinary crushes, why uncertainty fuels it, and how it can take over a personβs inner world. Brandy shares both clinical insights and her own lived experience, describing the obsessive thoughts, compulsive behaviors, and shame that often accompany limerence. They examine its overlap with OCD and addiction, and discuss practical strategies from CBT and ACT.
Key Topics
- 0:00: Introduction
- 2:00: What is limerence?
- 5:26: Limerence vs. a crush
- 11:28: Why research and treatment lag behind
- 13:38: Treatment approaches and practical strategies
- 24:47: Attachment, susceptibility, and shame
- 29:05: How limerence shapes relationships
- 38:12: Online communities and reinforcing obsession
- 49:18: Self-worth and validation
- 53:41: Recap
Forrest is now writing on Substack, check out his work there.
