An 18-year-old Chinese girl has been diagnosed with what experts are terming as "love brain" after she bombarded her boyfriend with hundreds of calls and messages everyday. This alarming diagnosis follows a tumultuous saga of obsession that spiraled out of control, leaving both the girl, identified only as Xiaoyu, and her boyfriend in distress.
According to a report by Yueniu News, Xiaoyu's descent into the grips of obsession began innocuously enough during her first year at university. What started as a budding romance quickly morphed into an unhealthy fixation, as Xiaoyu's incessant need for her boyfriend's presence and attention grew increasingly demanding.
Dr. Du Na, a specialist at The Fourth People’s Hospital of Chengdu, disclosed the severity of Xiaoyu's condition, revealing that she bombarded her boyfriend with over 100 phone calls in a single day. Xiaoyu's fixation reached such heights that she resorted to drastic measures, including throwing household objects and even threatening self-harm, when her attempts to reach her boyfriend were thwarted.
In a disturbing video clip that went viral on social media, Xiaoyu is seen relentlessly attempting to contact her boyfriend via video calls, displaying a level of desperation that borders on alarming. Her actions, while extreme, shed light on a phenomenon that experts warn could be indicative of deeper mental health issues.
Upon being rushed to the hospital, Xiaoyu was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, colloquially known as "love brain." Dr. Du emphasized that this condition often stems from unresolved childhood traumas and can manifest alongside other mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression.
The news of Xiaoyu's diagnosis has sparked a fervent discussion online, with thousands weighing in on the implications of her behaviour. While some observers have labelled her as a "control freak," others have expressed empathy, recognizing the harrowing reality of grappling with a mental health condition.
Experts emphasise the importance of destigmatising mental health issues and providing support for individuals like Xiaoyu who are grappling with the debilitating effects of obsessive love.
What is Love Brain?
"Love brain" is commonly employed informally to characterise obsessive behaviour within romantic relationships. Dr. Du Na, a physician at Xiaoyu's hospital, shared how borderline personality disorder may occasionally coincide with other conditions such as anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. He added that such conditions could also be the result of dysfunctional childhood attachments.
While the cause of the disorder is not known in Xiaoyu's case, Dr Du insists that severe cases like hers require medical intervention.
