Treatment of love addiction: Current status and perspectives

Background and objectives: Even though love addiction is not recognized by DSM-5 as a specific diagnosis, there is enough literature data to support its characterization as an independent mental disorder. Information on the treatment of love addiction is still scant. Methods: The databases Medline, Embase, and LILACS were searched for literature findings addressing the treatment of love addiction. Results: The currently available therapeutic strategies for love addiction are discussed, as well as some perspectives in the treatment of love addiction from a pharmacological standpoint. Conclusion: There is scant evidence regarding the treatment of love addiction in the medical literature, specially with respect to pharmacological interventions, although several agents may hypothetically be of benefit in this condition. Psychotherapy is often cited as the cornerstone of the treatment of love addiction, but its efficacy has not been properly investigated. (C) 2018 Asociacion Universitaria de Zaragoza para el Progreso de la Psiquiatria y la Salud Mental. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. All rights reserved.