It’s natural to have a favorite person you want to hang out with or share your problems with, but it can become an issue when that person is your only source of happiness or validation. If you’re idolizing a romantic partner, family member, close friend, or even a celebrity to an extreme extent, you are probably dealing with favorite person syndrome.
Whether you are someone’s FP or dealing with it yourself, it’s important to answer the following questions—what is favorite person syndrome and how to build a healthy relationship?
Learn in This Article
- What Is Favorite Person Syndrome
- Symptoms of FP
- How to Deal With Someone Who Has FP
- How to Deal With Being the Favorite Person
- Our Takeaway
What Is Favorite Person Syndrome
We’ve all had that one favorite person we can’t get enough of. However, being a favorite person holds a much deeper meaning.
A favorite person, in this sense, can be defined as an unhealthy obsession and attachment to a specific individual. While it may seem harmless at first, FP can actually be quite damaging in the long run.
FP is most commonly seen in many people diagnosed with BPD—here’s why. Fear of abandonment and instability in emotions and behavior are common symptoms in people with BPD. So, it’s not strange that they are more likely to idolize someone and feel incredibly euphoric when spending time with them.
However, relying heavily on one person has its dramatic downturns. Any slight transgression, like lack of punctuality or attention, can result in feelings of fear, anger, and insecurity.
Symptoms of FP
If you think you or a loved one might suffer from FP, make sure to take a closer look at the following favorite person symptoms.
Constant Need for Reassurance
Always needing reassurance from others that they are liked, valued, and appreciated can be a sign of FP. This may manifest as constantly seeking compliments or needing to be that person’s center of attention. If you are struggling with FP, you may feel like you are worthless if the person you idolize doesn’t continuously validate you.
Reaching Out Frequently
People with this syndrome constantly reach out to their favorite person, especially when they are not responding to their texts and calls. As people experiencing FP feel the need to be constantly connected to their favorite person, they might become upset or anxious if they show signs of losing contact with them.
Fear of Abandonment
If you are always worried the person you idolize might leave you or no longer love you, this is a clear symptom of FP.
People with FP often feel like they are not good enough and will be abandoned if they are not perfect. They may try to control your time and actions to make you stay close, often exhibiting manipulative behavior.
Being Overly Jealous
Exhibiting jealousy at your favorite person’s relationships or activities is, without any doubt, a sign of FP. This frequently occurs because they feel concerned about how change may affect their relationship.
How to Deal With Someone Who Has FP
If you have a friend or family member who has FP, here are a few tips that will probably help you make the difference.
Be Patient
It can be difficult to deal with someone who is constantly seeking attention and approval. Remember to be patient and understanding. They may not mean to be so needy and just need some extra reassurance.
Encourage Them to Seek Help
If you’re concerned about someone’s FP syndrome, encourage them to seek help from a mental health professional. While this advice is not always well-received, make them understand that there is no shame in seeking help.
Offer Support
Finally, make sure to provide them with the support they need. Let them know that you’re there for them and care about them. Although this is not an easy ride, let them know they don’t have to go through it alone.
How to Deal With Being the Favorite Person
If you find yourself in the position of being someone’s favorite person, it’s important to be aware of the challenges that come with it. Here’s how.
Be Honest
Being someone’s favorite person might come with a lot of unwanted responsibilities. So, it’s important to be straightforward and avoid making promises you cannot keep.
Encourage Healthy Attachments
Because that person might see you as their “savior,” you can influence them to pursue close friendships and healthy relationships with other people.
Set Boundaries
Last but not least, set your boundaries. Let them know what you’re comfortable with and what is unsettling. This will help keep the relationship healthy and balanced.
What Is Favorite Person Syndrome: Key Takeaways
Favorite person syndrome can be a real danger to your mental health. If you have a favorite person in your life or someone you heavily depend on, you may be at risk of developing this syndrome.
This usually happens when that person doesn’t have a strong sense of self-worth or identity, so they put all their eggs in one basket by relying on their favorite person to make them feel good about themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Although people with bipolar disorder have very intense emotional reactions to the people in their lives, there is no available data supporting this theory.
Although some argue that FP meets the criteria for a mental disorder, others contend it does not.
It’s true that FP can cause significant distress and impairment in functioning, but there is not any data that classify this syndrome as a separate mental disorder.
It’s true that people with BPD often have a favorite person, but that’s not true for all people dealing with this personality disorder.
While it’s not known exactly why some people with BPD develop favorite person syndrome, it’s important to ask the following questions— what is favorite person syndrome, how does it work, and what can we do to keep a relationship stable?