The Debate Over 'Love Addiction' and How Much Love Is Too Much

The New York Times Magazine explores the cultural shift around the intensity of romantic love

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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The New York Times Magazine is exploring the concept of 'love addiction' - a condition that's not formally recognized, but has become a way for some people to explain unhealthy romantic patterns. The article examines the underlying question of how intense love should really be, and whether the cultural vision of love as 'glorious, sacred, transcendent' is healthy or problematic. The Times is soliciting reader submissions to better understand personal experiences and perspectives on the appropriate intensity of romantic love.

Why it matters

The debate around 'love addiction' speaks to a broader cultural shift in how we view and approach romantic relationships. As more people grapple with the line between healthy and unhealthy intensity in love, it raises questions about societal expectations, mental health, and the role of romantic love in modern life.

The details

The New York Times Magazine article, written by Sophie Haigney, explores the rise of the 'love addiction' concept - a condition that's not formally recognized by psychiatry, but has become a way for some people to explain troubling romantic patterns. The article examines the underlying question of how intense love should really be, and whether the cultural vision of love as 'glorious, sacred, transcendent' is healthy or potentially problematic. To further explore this topic, the Times is soliciting reader submissions to better understand personal experiences and perspectives on the appropriate intensity of romantic love.

  • The article was published on February 18, 2026.

The players

Sophie Haigney

The author of the New York Times Magazine article exploring the concept of 'love addiction'.

The New York Times Magazine

The publication that is examining the cultural debate around the appropriate intensity of romantic love.

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What they’re saying

“Have you ever felt overwhelmed by your relationship with love? Have you suspected that people around you were approaching it with an unhealthy intensity? Should we, as a culture, be embracing the power of romantic love or guarding against its excesses?”

— The New York Times Magazine (The New York Times Magazine)

What’s next

The New York Times Magazine may reach out to readers who submit their thoughts and experiences on the topic of 'love addiction' and the appropriate intensity of romantic love for a possible follow-up article.

The takeaway

This article highlights the growing cultural debate around the role and intensity of romantic love, as more people grapple with the line between healthy and unhealthy attachment. It underscores the need to re-examine societal expectations and norms around love, and to better understand the personal experiences and perspectives of individuals navigating these complex emotional landscapes.