Love Articles

Medically reviewed by Nikki Ciletti, M.Ed, LPC

Love is the affection you feel for another person or living being. It is one of the most profound emotions, which can simultaneously be overwhelming, euphoric, painful, tragic, exhilarating, and beautiful. Love is also a chemical reaction, causing neurotransmitters like oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin to release, which may cause euphoria, calm, happiness, attraction, or excitement. 

The ancient Greeks considered love in categories as follows: 

• Storge: Storge is a familial type of love a parent feels for their child.  
• Philia: Philia is a type of love felt between friends. 
• Eros: Eros refers to sexual love and attraction.  
• Agape: Agape is unconditional or universal love for all living beings, often known as “divine love.”  
• Ludus: Ludus is a flirtatious or playful love.  
• Pragma: Pragma is a developed love with a shared goal, often found in commitments like marriage. 
• Philautia: Philautia is self-love. 

The origin of love

Children learn about love or a lack of love from their parents or primary caregivers. They watch their parents express love to them and other people. When love is given freely, a child may believe they are safe, protected, valued, and understood. A lack of love or the existence of emotional neglect can cause children to develop negative beliefs about themselves or the love they deserve. 

Children model the style of love received from their parents or guardians. As adults, people not shown healthy love may repeat unhealthy patterns, potentially resulting in an insecure attachment style or other mental health challenges. If you experienced neglect or a lack of emotional care as a child, speaking to a therapist about these experiences may be helpful. The scars of emotional neglect can be profound. 

The benefits of love and acceptance 

It is normal to want to be accepted for who you are. Part of loving someone is often accepting them for who they truly are. You may appreciate them and value them for their strengths and support them as they grow. As humans are social creatures, people also crave belonging and believe they are part of a bigger picture. Being socially ostracized and unloved can be painful for any human and may be associated with health risks. 

Romantic love

Love can be a beautiful experience, regardless of its type. However, many people seek romantic love to connect with others and feel love for another person. Spending your life with someone who loves you can be meaningful. It may allow you to have your own social group or family, even if you grew up with challenging emotional experiences. 

People are more likely to have stable long-term relationships with a partner if they form healthy attachments as a child. However, if you have trauma from your childhood, talking to a therapist may help you have healthier connections and learn to form a secure attachment style. 

Support options 

You're not alone if you struggle to find love or connect with a partner. A relationship therapist can guide you through love and support you in having healthier connections. In addition, you can choose between online and in-person support. 

Online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp for individuals or ReGain for couples may be most effective for those seeking convenient, flexible, and cost-effective support. You can choose between phone, video, or live chat sessions and receive real-time guidance through an online platform. You can also receive more cost-effective support. 

Studies back up the effectiveness of online therapy, citing it as cost-effective, convenient, and sometimes more effective than in-person therapy. 

Takeaway 

Love is a unique human experience and emotion that can be both beautiful and challenging. To learn more about the intricacies of love, consider reading the above articles or reaching out to a licensed mental health professional for support.