Why does seeing an attractive stranger cause me actual physical pain?

discussion

Here's my issue: when I see a pretty woman pass by, especially "my type," I don't just feel normal attraction. I feel actual pain sharp, almost like a wound. My heart starts pounding, my chest feels heavy. Along with the attraction there's this weird urge to want to "claim" her, mixed with jealousy, anger, and desire all at once, even though I don't know her and have zero relationship with her.

I don't think this is normal attraction it feels more tangled up with ego somehow, like some part of me is treating it as a loss or a rejection when nothing was ever there to lose.

Does anyone understand what's going on psychologically here? Is this some kind of attachment thing, an ego/validation issue, or something else? Would genuinely appreciate any insight, especially if you've worked through

Posted Aug 12, 2026, 8:17 PM UTC

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