

Crushes and romantic relationships have biological similaritiesĪlthough there is a distinct difference between a crush and something more, there are certain similarities, like the way both make you feel. "Longing and yearning has distance, whereas with love, you're engaging with the person and feel a connection," she said. Read more: How to know if you've fallen out of love - and if your relationship is salvageableįor 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.

This differs from a romantic interest or relationship, where you know more about the person and your suppositions are based on real-life experiences you've had together. "You have little pieces of information and what you see, you are drawn to in that person," Kolawole said. Mainly, crushes are rooted in fantasy and the person who is crushing tends to project their values onto the person they desire. 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."Īlthough 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.

Sometimes, a crush can become a relationship. Crushes are based on your ideas about a person, while romantic relationships are rooted in reality.Although there's no clinical definition for a crush, there are characteristics that differentiate a crush from a more serious romantic engagement.Account icon An icon in the shape of a person's head and shoulders.
