5 Signs You Could Be in a DELUSIONSHIP

You've probably heard of "situationships," but have you heard of "delusionships?" Most of us have been in a state of delusion (perhaps more than once) without realizing it.

A delusionship is a romantic pairing that lives only in one person's imagination.

Delusional relationships can include daydreaming, fantasizing, or idealizing about one's life with another person without really understanding who they are as a person. There may be communication and a feeling of closeness, but not a real friendship or romance.

The barriers between offline and online dating have eroded to an unprecedented degree. As a result of how much time we spend online, we may assume we know someone based only on their online persona, such as on a dating app profile. We may romanticize our conceptions of them and use them to fuel our own ideas, daydreams, and desires, all without ever having met them in person.

When not quite sure whether your situation fits the delusionship definition, here are 5 signs to look out for;

1. It’s a One-Sided Conversation

You are the one driving the discussion forward, always making the first move and keeping things lively. You don't feel heard or valued in this discussion.

It makes no difference what you think. No effort is made to inquire about your perspective. There wouldn't be a dialogue if you weren't involved.

2. If they have stated they don’t want to be in a Relationship

Modern relationships are difficult to define. If you and your partner have had the conversation to figure out where things are, and they've made it clear that they don't want a serious partnership with you, then you're not really dating, you are in a delusionship.

3. If they are stringing you along

You can be in a delusionship if your partner constantly gives you mixed signals about where they stand with you and your relationship rather than giving you a solid commitment one way or the other.

Someone is trying to keep you waiting if they behave in ways that aren't consistent with their words, such asking you out on a date at the last minute or saying they want to take the relationship to the next level but never really doing anything to make that happen.

4. You Hardly See or Interact with them

It is important to think about how well you know the individual, how frequently you've dealt with them, and whether or not they even realize you exist.

If you and your partner haven't spoken much about the past or the present, and instead spend your time fantasizing about the future, you may be in a delusional relationship.

5. You’ve Never Met them in Person

Any time your brain tells you that you're together with someone you haven't seen in person, or that you have a deep connection with a prominent figure you've only seen on TV or social media, you're almost likely experiencing a delusionship.

For most individuals, delusional relationships aren't a major concern. People who are currently single tend to romanticize their dream companions before they get any concrete information about them. It's the first stepping stone in establishing a connection.

This pleasant fantasy, however, might swiftly turn sour. When the object of the delusion is held to unrealistically high standards, the object of the delusion may find it difficult, if not impossible, to 'live up to' the idealized picture. Therefore, no further commitment is made beyond the first meeting. Another issue is that the target of attention may not feel the same way, or at least not at first.