Infatuation

[LadyVT]

A biochemical process, one feels infatuated because, in the brain, norepinephrine, PEA, and dopamine are surging (these are natural, amphetamine-like substances, with the same effect on the brain), and serotonin is low. That combination induces euphoria, feelings of invulnerability, obsessive thinking. Specifically, people who are infatuated experience:

-intrusive thinking about the person (95% of the day in romantic infatuation subjects in MRI study)
-strong longing for demonstrations of caring from the other, dependence of mood on interpretation of whether or not other cares
-sensitive to favorable acts, devise (often implausible) explanations for negative acts
-aching heart sensation when uncertain
-feeling of lightness when hopeful
-failure increases feelings (frustration attraction)

As with any chemical, tolerance develops--in this case, when success has been assured. At that point, feelings and fervor stop increasing, and begin to decline. The projection of perfection starts to break, and the "real" other person, who was always there (but unseen by the infatuated person, who was really seeing his/her own unknown face) emerges. Disappointment arises, occasionally anger. "How could you do that!" "YOU don't really believe that! You couldn't!" "You're not the person I thought you were!" And, of course, they never were...they were always themselves.

Yes, we can become infatuated with people we do not personally know. Same symptoms. Same course.
Give it a couple of months...

[Uncle Sinister]

1. ahhh, the joy and agony of puppy love. They should enjoy it while it lasts ;)

[sam sarrha]

2. DU is aflood with PEA..... its drip'n down the walls, its rain'n Pea..

[scheming daemons]

3. Shrill whine........

....shows that Obama is winning...