If someone keeps coming back to your mind, understand that these things happen 😱🤯… See more

July 19, 2026 by Admin

“Oftentimes at the beginning of the relationship there is more excitement, fantasy, and uncertainty, so it’s normal to think about your partner,” says licensed clinical social worker Melanie Shapiro. In other words, it totally makes sense that this obsessive thinking is common when you start seeing someone. Amanda Ruiz, licensed professional counselor and founder of The Counseling Collective, adds: “As you are getting to know each other, you might wonder, ‘What’s he or she doing now?” Or, you may be more concerned with when you will see them again, and so would text them to set up that time, then anxiously await that meet up and think about what you’ll do together.”

This makes a lot more sense when you consider that the process of falling in love with someone actually changes your brain. At the beginning of a relationship, a flood of feel-good chemicals comes flowing in, which explains why you can’t seem to get enough of that person. One groundbreaking study led by Fisher and a team of researchers examined the brains of people in love via an MRI scan. Researchers found that when participants viewed photos of people they romantically loved (versus mere acquaintances), their brains became super active in the areas high in dopamine. To boot, regions of the brain that are associated with reward detection and expectation as well as the motivation to pursue and acquire rewards, showed notable activity. During the initial phase of romantic love, levels of cortisol (known as the stress hormone) tend to surge, explaining those racing hearts and sweaty palms. As cortisol increases, levels of serotonin decrease, and low levels of this neurotransmitter can trigger intense, incessant thoughts (like being literally high on love).

Here’s How To Know If Your Thoughts Are Taking A Toll

So, how do you know when your obsessive thinking has moved into problematic territory? When does “I can’t stop thinking about my boyfriend” or “I’m obsessed with my girlfriend” become more distracting than helpful? According to Shapiro, if your constant thoughts about your partner prevent you from doing your job, that’s likely cause for concern. Additionally, if you can’t engage with others in real time (i.e., you tend to tune out while talking to friends and family) because your mind is constantly on your partner, that could negatively impact your other relationships.