Title: What Does "Possessive" Mean in a Relationship? | Synonym
Headings: What Does "Possessive" Mean in a Relationship?
What Does "Possessive" Mean in a Relationship?
Explore this article
1 All Hearts and Roses
2 Reality Bites
3 Holding on Too Tight
4 Effects on the Relationship

Content: Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the word as "wanting all of someone's attention and love." Explore this article
All Hearts and Roses
Reality Bites
Holding on Too Tight
Effects on the Relationship
1 All Hearts and Roses
It is natural in the early stages of a relationship to want to spend all of your time with your partner. This is the romantic love stage. It is during this six-month to two-year stage that couples tend to be infatuated with each other, thinking the other can do no wrong and wanting constant affection, according to an article provided by the Relationship Institute, a psychoeducational service organization located in Royal Oak, Michigan. 2 Reality Bites
After couples emerge from the romantic love stage, they become reacquainted with reality and begin to see their partner as a normal human being with flaws. This is a hard reality to face. To successfully navigate this stage, each person must be able to rediscover their own interests and learn how to be both independent again, while also dependent on their partner to help meet certain needs as the relationship develops. 3 Holding on Too Tight
Moving from the infatuation stage back to "real life" can be particularly challenging for some. It is during this time that an individual might become possessive, demanding a more than reasonable amount of attention from his partner. This may come in the form of calling too frequently or trying to monitor his partner's every move, according to a 2011 CollegeMagazine.com article, provided by Pace University.