[inkblot]

This may be a hard question, but how do we know when we are truly interested in (I mean, like/love) someone? For someone with a history of PTSD, how will I know if it's just me and that I like being liked, or love to be loved? I like this guy and want to know more about him and to see him and do things. How will I know if what I feel is normal shyness or nervousness, too? As of yet, I have only felt what feels to be the "good" nervous.

[conklinca]

Your realization that you could confuse your feelings of love with wanting to be loved is a good first step. I could be wrong, but this is one way I think you can tell the difference:

1. False love: You feel like you cannot live without the person, and/or your main activity or focus is sexual, and/or the person has many characteristics that remind you of someone/people who hurt you in the past.

2. "Real" love: You enjoy time with the person probably more than you enjoy time without the person, but you still enjoy time by yourself and with other people; your activities with the person are mainly just to have fun and communicate; the person is not like a replacement for anyone who previously hurt you

If you discover other ways to tell the difference, please share; I have a feeling a lot of us have or have had similar problems!