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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Letting go of Limerence

4 replies

FloralGirl1 · 23/03/2021 10:16

Last week I confessed on here that I couldn't stop thinking about 'this guy'. It has gone on for 5 or so years now and I haven't seen him in over 3 years. He was my ex-manager. At first I believe we both had a 'frisson' but I was newly married and he had a gf, I got scared, I put on loads of weight and became standoffish towards him, then I had to get a new job because we avoided each other. At the end, he couldn't look me in the eye, I knew I had to go. On my last day he didn't show up to say bye then I found out he left his gf and got a new one.

Meanwhile in my marriage, I realised that I'd not been that happy. We don't have much of a sex life. In fact, we've barely had penetrative at all in 16 years due to DH's issues. He's been to the GP's for this and has some pills but he finds it awkward and I don't enjoy it, it's all very fiddly. He's very self-conscious and shy and really does find this aspect of life difficult. He's also a bit monotonal, not excitable and I really have to push him to do things, but he does have social anxiety and self-esteem issues which account for this, he just won't do anything about them.

I think my subconscious delved into this world where this guy became a hybrid of the husband I wanted. I'd fantasise, not just about sex but enjoying myself on days and nights out with him etc. I got it bad, so much so it's created a feeling I feel I can't live without. I feel giddy, womanly and powerful. I managed to lose weight with this feeling, it motivates me.

But I know it's not healthy & it's certainly not fair on my DH who knows nothing about the extent to which my feelings are, I can't hurt him, but at the same time I can't lie to myself that things need to change in my life. I love my DH but I feel I've grown whereas he's remained stagnant. But he's lovely, very chivalrous and he'd do anything for me.

I spoke to a counsellor on Friday and he told me that what I feel is normal and that we're allowed to look the other way and feel animalistic. Well it certainly doesn't feel normal, I feel like a crazy woman! He also told me I need to evaluate my life and think about what I want. I don't know what life would be like without my DH though, we're so much a part of each other's lives & I know it'd really, really hurt him and send him to despair. I am his life.

This guy is dead meat but what he's left me with are these feelings that keep me going every day and inspire me to great extents.

Current and ex-limerents - how do we cope?

OP posts:
siyhack58342 · 23/03/2021 10:26

You need a new therapist. Unless you're not being honest with them, I can't believe a qualified therapist would say that an intense 5 year fantasy about a person you haven't seen in 3 years is normal.

I had a partner who said I was his life and it would kill him if I left. Guess what, he is just fine. 4 years on we don't even speak anymore.

I had some bad episodes of maladaptive day dreaming (I guess you could call it limerance) before I left my ex. It was an intense fantasy that distracted me from a relationship that was getting worse every month. Not abusive, just shit. The daydreaming stopped after I left him.

FloralGirl1 · 23/03/2021 11:10

I know, right! It was one of them counsellors from an Assistance Programme that my work is signed up to. I just wanted some advice on how to control limerent thoughts after I found out that's what I have but he didn't even know what it was. Another thing he asked me is whether I could tell my limerent object how I feel - umm, no chance! I'd risk being laughed out of town!

One thing I mentioned to him though was what if I'm just a bit bored. What if I actually have no desire to leave my husband and when I do it'll hit me like a tonne of bricks and I'll live to regret it.

I do think I need a good therapist that knows their stuff and can help me explore these thoughts. I wouldn't know where to start though. I've actually done a counselling course myself believe it or not and normally I'm very rational! The reason I put weight on is because I was shocked by my own feelings, they're not 'me'.

OP posts:
siyhack58342 · 23/03/2021 11:33

Yeah get a proper qualified therapist if you can afford one. I've heard there are more therapists doing online sessions now and that can be a little cheaper.

A good therapist will be able to help you work through your feelings, but you need to be clear to them about how long these thoughts have been going on for. I found mine on bacp.co.uk, but have a Google, lots of different things come up.

FloralGirl1 · 23/03/2021 11:49

@siyhack58342 I'll look it over, thank you. I feel a bit like I'm betraying mu husband in doing all this behind his back, but I suppose it's better than feeling like this for much longer.

I've been honest from the moment I decided to come out about it on here. I was also honest with the counsellor on Friday. It's time to face the music!

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