And now science is here to help prove it.
Ever hear the phrase, “madly in love”? According to this article, that’s pretty much what happens, especially in those hormone-driven teenage years.
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn12483-puppy-love-makes-teenagers-lose-the-plot.html
In summary, lovestruck teenagers can show manic behavior in their lifestyle and how they interact with others. Basically, they don’t differ from mental patients experiencing a hypermanic episode.
Strong stuff for this thing called love. For a story idea then…what if someone never grew out of this stage? What if every romantic relationship they fell into, they were stuck in this manic phase of heightened tensions, risk-taking, emotional overdrive? Could a relationship survive in such high gear forever? Or do there need to be down times and even some boring periods in between those heart-fluttering “psychopathological” episodes?
Seems like a good character in the making. Which would it work best for though? An angst-ridden protagonist or an antagonist denied the love he so desperately craves? Sounds like intriguing motivation either way.
I see that smile.