How to Treat LO Like a Coworker: Stop the Intrusive Thoughts

What It Really Means to Treat Your LO Like a Coworker

When I say I need to treat my LO like a coworker, I mean I have to stop the secret mental movie. The one where every glance becomes a sign, every chat a promise. This isn't about being cold or rude. It's about starving the fantasy world that limerence feeds on. As one person on r/limerence put it, 'Limerence feeds off hope and fantasy, so I had to starve it.' That's the core of it.

For me, the hardest part is the intrusive thoughts. They hit during meetings, at my desk, even when I'm home. I'm not choosing to obsess. My limerent brain is stuck in a loop. And because I see this person every day, I can't just go no-contact. That's why learning to treat them as just a coworker is so crucial. It's a mental boundary I have to rebuild every single morning.

This isn't a character flaw. It's an involuntary pattern, what some call love addiction or an attachment wound. I've learned that limerence is not love. It's a projection, a coping mechanism. If you're not sure where you stand, our limerence quiz can help you see the signs more clearly.

I used to think if I just understood why, it would stop. But knowing doesn't always break the spell. That's why I started looking into deeper tools. Hypnotherapy, for example, works with the subconscious where these patterns live. You can read more about how hypnosis can help with limerence. The goal isn't to forget them. It's to feel nothing when they walk by.

Does It Actually Work?

I know how it feels to be trapped in the limerent brain while seeing your LO every day at work. The intrusive thoughts, the hopium, the shame, it’s exhausting. Many of us turn to hypnotherapy as a last resort, and from what I’ve seen in the community, it can help break the cycle. In our research, people who tried hypnotherapy often described it as a way to finally starve the fantasy and regain control.

One thing that stands out is how hypnotherapy targets the subconscious attachment driving the obsession. It’s not about erasing memories but rewiring the emotional charge. I’ve read accounts where after a few sessions, the LO becomes just another person, no more idealization. If you’re skeptical, that’s normal; I was too. But the shift from agony to indifference is real for some.

Of course, it’s not magic. You still have to do the work, especially when no-contact isn’t possible. Hypnotherapy can’t make your coworker disappear, but it can change how your mind reacts to them. For more on this, check out can hypnosis help with limerence. The key is finding someone who understands limerence, not just general anxiety.

Results vary, and there’s no guarantee. But in the voice-of-customer data, the most common gain was complete indifference toward the LO. That’s what I wanted, to stop the mental torture. If you’re considering it, a free consult can help you decide if it’s right for you.

Cost and Access

When I first looked into hypnotherapy for limerence, I worried about the price. Our programs are private-pay, starting with the Unhook System at $199. The Regression Intensive is $299, and the full Unhook Protocol is $999. I learned that a free, confidential consult helps you decide without pressure. You can apply for a free, confidential consult to see if it fits your needs.

Many people ask if insurance covers this. Hypnotherapy here is clinical self-help, not medical care, so it is not billed through insurance. I found that this keeps the focus on deep subconscious change, not on a diagnosis. For more on what hypnotherapy can do, read can hypnosis help with limerence.

Access is virtual and private across Canada, which matters when you see your LO daily. You do not need to travel or take time off work. The real cost is often the emotional toll of staying stuck, something I hear from clients who have tried other methods first.

Who It Is a Good Fit For

I know this approach isn't for everyone, but it fits me because I've already tried the usual advice and I'm still stuck. I've done the journaling, the distraction, even talk therapy, but the intrusive thoughts about my LO at work just keep looping. When I read that many people seek hypnotherapy as a last resort after other methods fail, I felt seen. If you're like me and you're exhausted from years of mental torture, this might be your next step.

It also fits if you're ready to look deeper than just the surface obsession. I realized my limerence wasn't really about my coworker; it was about old attachment wounds I never healed. Hypnotherapy isn't just about stopping thoughts. It can help you understand the root cause, like trauma or anxious attachment, and actually heal it. If you're curious about what a session feels like, you can read more about can hypnosis help with limerence.

This is a good match if you have to see your LO regularly and no-contact isn't an option. I can't quit my job, and the daily exposure used to send me into a spiral. But hypnotherapy can work even while you're still in contact, because it changes your subconscious reaction to them. You learn to see them realistically, without the fantasy. If you're wondering how to find the right professional, check out how to find a therapist for limerence.

Here are the signals that tell me this path might be right for you:

• You've tried other methods and nothing has broken the loop
• You're willing to explore subconscious patterns and past experiences
• You can't avoid your LO due to work or shared circles
• You're motivated by a desire for real freedom, not just temporary relief
• You're open to a process that feels different from regular talk therapy

Who Should Skip It

I won't pretend hypnotherapy is for everyone. If you're looking for a quick fix or a magic wand, this probably isn't your path. The work goes deep, and it asks you to face the root causes of your limerence, not just the surface symptoms. Some people told me they needed to be ready to let go of the fantasy before anything could shift. That hit hard.

From what I've seen, hypnotherapy might not be right if you're still convinced your LO is your soulmate or that mixed signals mean something real. The process requires you to challenge those delusional beliefs, and if you're not open to that, you'll likely resist the suggestions. I've also noticed it's less effective when you're actively feeding the obsession, like stalking their social media or replaying interactions. You have to starve the limerent brain, as one person put it.

Here are some signals that hypnotherapy might not be your best next step right now:

• You're not willing to stop analyzing your LO's behavior or seeking closure from them.
• You believe the intense connection is a sign of twin flames or a unique destiny.
• You're hoping hypnotherapy will make your LO fall in love with you.
• You're in acute crisis with suicidal ideation and need immediate crisis support first.
• You expect a single session to erase years of obsessive patterns.

If any of these sound familiar, it doesn't mean you're broken. It might just mean you need a different starting point. I'd suggest taking our free Limerence Score quiz to get a clearer picture of where you are. And if you're unsure, a confidential consult can help you figure out if this approach fits your situation.

The Subject vs Working with a Hypnotherapist

When I tried to treat my LO like just a coworker on my own, I kept falling back into the fantasy world. I would tell myself to stop, but my limerent brain found ways to twist every small interaction into mixed signals. It was exhausting, and I felt like I was fighting a losing battle against my own mind.

Working with a hypnotherapist changed the game because it targeted the subconscious roots I couldn't reach alone. In sessions, we used techniques like regression to heal the anxious attachment driving my obsession. I learned that limerence isn't a character flaw, it's an involuntary loop, and hypnosis helped me rewire those patterns. Can hypnosis help with limerence?

Self-help left me white-knuckling through no contact while still seeing my LO daily. Hypnotherapy gave me tools to stay calm and detached in the same room. I stopped needing to analyze every glance or word, and the intrusive thoughts faded. It wasn't instant, but it was the first thing that actually worked. Getting help for limerence

Now, I can interact with my LO without the emotional agony. The hopium is gone, and I see them realistically. Hypnotherapy didn't just mask the symptoms, it addressed the trauma bond underneath. For me, that made all the difference.