Dear Lauren,
I am so happy that Limerent Nurse reached out to you. I saw your post this morning but, by the time I had a minute to reply the post had moved off the ‘recent posts’ list and I couldn’t remember which blog you posted on as it is an old one.
Now I remember what I wanted to say to you which is that it seems to be a very severe case of limerence if you have been struggling so long and with so little actual contact with your LO. Almost like falling for a public figure or celebrity (someone you barely know). These people represent “the ideal mate/partner” as their real personalities (with ups and downs) are replaced in one’s limerent brain by the perfect person who is always supportive and kind and lovely and handsome….
The other addictions you spoke about make it likely that you are escaping some things in your life, limerence also provides an escape. That must be hard. Not telling you anything that you don’t know already but escaping the clutches of all the addictions is the only way out of this rut. In the meantime, yes, Limerent Nurse is right. You need to reach out to someone close to you. A friend or a family member (whichever seems less daunting) – I am positive that you have people who care about you though it might not always feel that way. You can reach out to us here, anytime.
Wishing you all the best.

It sounds really painful what you are going through. Do you have anyone you can talk to face-to-face about these things? If not, just know that you are in good company, as many of us understand your pain.💙

I hope you find it interesting and helpful Sammy!

Thank you for the link. 🙂

@Sammy you must must read the book “will I ever be good enough” by Karen Mcbride. It’s designed for the daughters of narcissistic mothers but the info is rock solid for anyone. I hope this link works…
https://www.google.com/search?q=karen+mcbride+why+am+I+not+good+enough+narcissistic+mothers&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=m_D19oV8UQG7eM%252CzYlCr5zPPxot8M%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kQpSGrhZerrpN8QetQzrgHSZnIyRg&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiKuqqLxLDsAhUQ7qwKHbD7BT4Q9QF6BAgLEAY#imgrc=m_D19oV8UQG7eM

Obviously, I have some issues to work out that have nothing to do with limerence. (My inferiority complex probably stems from my family of origin and the way my narcissistic mother treated me and my father and sisters). Still, I feel limerence actually worsened these pre-existing emotional problems. If you already have poor self-image, for example, idolising someone else isn’t going to help matters.

@Mia, you’re welcome! 🙂 At least by coming here, you’re able to talk about any issues your limerence is causing you and have the support you need by people who understand what you’re going through! Limerence is a lot less lonely when you’re able to converse with those who know what it’s like; coming here and talking about my limerence has certainly helped me these past couple weeks to say the least.

@Rachel, I didn’t actually see your comments to Mia before I posted mine, but having gone and read them, I think they were very kind and supportive! 🙂

The force and the strength of a LE are incredible. At the highest (or lowest) of my LE I could have sacrificed litterary everything, my job, myself, my family. Even I cognitively knew what was going on. Thank god it never came that far, but it’s scarry.

And you do 🌼