5 Ways to Tell If You're in Love, According to a Relationship Coach

Sometimes we can mistake these things for being one and the same, but the difference between needing and wanting a person is the difference between love and toxic dependency. "When people say, 'I need to be with you,' it means, 'I need you to be something that I am not,'" Allen says. "When that person gets tired of being that thing for you, and they take that away, then a lot of conflict comes into play." If it's love, their presence is a welcome addition to your life, not a crutch.