How do feelings develop

For instance, someone who is serious about you will always make time for you no matter what. Those two seconds of flirting may seem sweet on the surface, but it doesn't make up for the lack of real time spent together. It's one thing to be with someone who's into you , and it's another to be with someone who actually has feelings for you.

When someone has serious feelings for you, they'll display a level of selflessness that you won't always get with a partner who's into you for more shallow reasons. For instance, they'll do nice things for you because they know it'll make you happy, not because they want something in return. A person who has real feelings for you will want to stay up-to-date on what's happening in your life.

If you're not in contact throughout the day, they'll make it a point to check in just to see how you're doing. They're also there for you if you need to vent, and they're more than happy to give advice if you ask. They'll also find a way to turn simple small talk into a full-blown conversation.

As Celia Schweyer , dating expert at Dating Scout, tells Bustle, "Being friendly is one thing, but consistently having tons of conversations is another. When someone truly cares about you, your thoughts, feelings, and opinions will matter to them. For instance, when you're having a conversation face-to-face, they'll try to make eye contact as much as possible. They'll put any distractions away and keep their focus on you.

When you talk about something, they'll ask thoughtful follow-up questions or offer up comments that let you know they're paying attention. They just have a way of making you feel like everything you say is important. If you've ever experienced a sudden and intense attraction to someone you don't know very well, you've probably gushed to your friends about your secret "crush. Although there's no clinical definition for a crush, there are characteristics that differentiate a crush from a more serious romantic engagement, New York City-based therapist Dr.

Mainly, crushes are rooted in fantasy and the person who is crushing tends to project their values onto the person they desire. This differs from a romantic interest or relationship , where what you know more about the person and your suppositions are based on real-life experiences you've had together. Read more: 5 sneaky signs someone has a crush on you. For instance, when crushing, you might subconsciously think the person you always sit next to on the train is kind and caring, but you have no way to back up your supposition or fully trust them, since trust is built through time and an established connection, Kolawole explained.

Although there is a distinct difference between a crush and something more, there are certain similarities, like the way both make you feel. That's because feelings of a crush and feelings of love release the mood-boosting hormones dopamine and oxytocin to the brain, Stephanie Cacioppo, an assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral neuroscience at The University of Chicago, told INSIDER. When you see a potential mate, whether it's a total stranger, an acquaintance, or a partner, your brain also activates its cognitive network, the region that holds our past experiences, preferences, and self-image, Cacioppo explained.

When this area activates, it's "instructing our eyes on who to love. Any type of emotional commitment can fulfill the human need for connection, provided you make the effort to sustain it.

Crystal Raypole has previously worked as a writer and editor for GoodTherapy. Her fields of interest include Asian languages and literature, Japanese translation, cooking, natural sciences, sex positivity, and mental health. Being able to recognize the difference between love and lust can help create relationships that align with what you have interest, capacity, and time….

Love comes in all shapes and sizes, but you can usually identify it by these key traits. What does it really mean to be in love? And is it that different from simply loving someone? From culture to culture and era to era, the general symptoms of lovesickness remain much the same.

We break down what it means, how to recover, and…. Depression can take a toll on both you and your partner — here's how to support yourself and your loved one in this difficult situation. Saving a relationship takes work, but it's possible. Whether you're trying to make long distance work or dealing with a betrayal, we've got 22 tips…. The idea of toxic relationships gets thrown around a lot, but what actually makes a relationship toxic?

Learn how to recognize the signs and build a…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Are there really signs to look for? How can you recognize platonic love? How can you recognize romantic love? Which type of love is more important? How do you know which one you want, if anything at all? What now? The bottom line. Read this next. Look for These 12 Signs Instead. Medically reviewed by Janet Brito, Ph.

Dating Someone with Depression? Think You're Being Gaslit? How to Rescue a Damaged Relationship. Medically reviewed by Timothy J. Legg, Ph.