The 8 Distinct Forms of Love According to the Ancient Greeks (5 of 5)

8. Mania — Obsessive Love

Mania is a highly dysfunctional and potentially dangerous form of love. Those with Mania are generally insecure or lack self-esteem, and as a result they act jealous towards their partner and seek to control them. It’s downright abusive behavior, revolving around a need for reassurance or validation rather than the kind of mutual affection that is found in healthy relationships. Initially, the individual might express Eros, having an infatuation with a prospective partner that is shared by that partner. But then they reach a point where they fear losing that partner, and that’s when things spiral out of control. The Greeks cautioned against Mania, understanding its power to ruin lives.