Ep 30: Are You a Love Addict? with Dr. Erin Watson

by | Oct 25, 2020 | Podcast Episodes, Posts for Everyone, Relationships, Science of Love, Self-Love, Sex

“Toxic love is the belief that the other person is either the solution to all of our problems, or the cause of them. It takes many forms, including obsession and violence, or even avoidance of intimacy.

You have some people who think, ‘I cannot lose this person or I won’t survive.’ And they end up losing themselves because they are trying to ensure that they stay together no matter what.”

– Dr. Erin Watson

What is love addiction? What is toxic love? What can we do on our own to ensure the happiness and health of our relationships?

Learn the answer to these questions and more in this week’s episode of The Learn to Love Podcast, where your host Zach Beach interviews educator, speaker, and author, Dr. Erin Watson on the question of, Are You a Love Addict?

Ep 30: Are You a Love Addict? with Dr. Erin Watson

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about Dr. Erin Watson

Dr. Erin Watson is Canada’s top Love Addiction coach. She is an expert in sex, tech, and relationships, and is passionate about helping people find great love (and sex) in a digital age. She has over 15 years of experience in the field as an educator, speaker, author, and workshop facilitator.

With a PhD in Sexuality and Relationships, Erin currently teaches at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada. She was clinically trained as a therapist and brings this insight into the coaching world to help her clients overcome what is holding them back from incredible love.

Stay connected with Dr. Erin Watson:

Show notes

  • In this week’s episode, we talk about love addiction, the differences between healthy love and love addiction, the solution to changing our behavior and beliefs. What does it means to be addicted to love? That is the question we discuss in this episode with Dr. Erin Watson and our host Zach Beach.
  • Healthy love (2:00) – The difference between love addiction and love. Love addiction comes from a feeling of emptiness. How can we know that we are in a healthy love ?
  • Toxic Love (7:00) – In toxic relationships you will see a need to control, also individuals that are emotionally unavailable, ghosting, avoiding or chasing.
  • Myth of love addiction (11:30) – The addiction to love is considered as an invention. There are not a lot of studies on the topic for the moment. There are many stereotypes on this, men are seen as playboys, and women are seen as crazy, too needy.
  • Depression (14:20) – The love addiction is a symptom of depression. Love addicted people are looking for intense feeling of excitement in order to feel something.
  • Phases of love (17:00) – People are addicted not to love, but they are addicted to falling in love. They are not addicted to the lasting love, which is more secure. It is the first stage of love that is the addiction. The feeling of excitement is more strong on the beginning and this feeling gives a biological boost to the brain.
  • The Cure (22:20) – What are the solutions to stop this circle of toxic relationships ? The work of the therapist and how we can help to build a better vision of ourselves. 
  • Sex addiction (26:45) – Is it a myth? What are the distinctions between sex and love addiction?
  • Find self love (34:00) – A bad self esteem and unhealthy attachment style can be a reason for toxic love. To work on self love can bring us to healthy love. How can we stop chasing the external validation, and find self love?

Sponsors

  • This episode is sponsored by Listenable, your home for powerful, bite-sized audio courses authored by well‑loved experts. Use the discount code “zachbeach” for the first seven days on the platform for free. And while you’re at it, sign up for our How To Be a Better Partner Course.

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