Crushes are rooted in fantasy and tend to happen when you don’t know much about a person but idealize what they are like, Kolawole said. If you get closer to your crush and develop real-life experiences and a sense of reciprocity, the crush can develop into something more.

It’s perfectly normal for boys and girls to start liking each other during the preteen years. It’s very new, so it might feel awkward or strange. It’s also fine if kids feel too young to get involved in this lovey-dovey stuff. The good news is that almost all kids think girls and boys can be friends.

In reality, according to psychologists, a typical crush usually lasts for four months. If the feeling persists, what you feel is what we like to call, “being in love.”

It becomes impossible to stop thinking about them, even if you want to. If thoughts about your crush have become that intrusive, it is likely you are suffering with limerence. This is a mental state of obsessive infatuation that is characterised by intrusive thoughts that you just can’t seem to turn off.

Limerence is a romantic attraction to another person that typically includes obsessive thoughts, fantasies, and a desire to either form or maintain a romantic relationship with a specific person. It’s an all-consuming, involuntary state of romantic desire.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a mental illness. It’s made up of two parts: obsessions and compulsions. People may experience obsessions, compulsions, or both, and they cause a lot of distress. Obsessions are unwanted and repetitive thoughts, urges, or images that don’t go away.

Loving someone means giving them space If someone is in love with you, they trust you. They want you to be the best version of yourself and only want good things for you. That includes giving you space when you need it. On the other hand, someone who is obsessed with you will be jealous and possessive.

Love is a healthy emotion that grows between two people once they’ve invested time and energy into getting to really know one another, flaws, pet peeves and all. Obsession is different. In the beginning it may feel a lot like love. Obsession is an unhealthy emotion that becomes more and more suffocating over time.

Rather than loving the person and wanting the best for them, people with obsessive tendencies may love the other person because of their own needs. This, in turn, may mean that they show little interest in the other’s well-being.

10 ways to stop obsessing over him

1. Everyone has obsessed over someone at one point or the other.
2. First of all, stop stalking him.
3. Remember, he has flaws too Maybe he spits while talking, or is terribly overbearing, just focus on his flaws to get over him.
4. Distract yourself.
5. Let your friends help.
6. There are other cute guys.