For anyone who has ever had a broken heart, this will not be news! For the rest of you, beware. Falling in love can be hazardous to your health, at least according the a new study being released in The Psychologist magazine.

Frank Tallis, who is a clinical psychologist in London took a look at the behaviors involved when a person is in the early stages of being in love - that period when the lovestruck individual waits by the phone for a call or is incapable of thinking about anything but his or her love interest. This, he believes, can be indicative of problems that can develop further on down the road.

Historically, this is nothing new. Physicians used to recognize lovesickness as a legitimate ailment but over the past 200 or so years, this diagnosis has been disregarded. But Tallis' report looks at the actual symptoms including mania, elevated mood, depression, and inflated self-esteem, and sees elements of obsessive/compulsive disorder as well.

In an interview with the Independent, Tallis points out, 'The average clinical psychologist will not receive referral letters from GPs and psychiatrists mentioning lovesickness. However, careful examination of the sanitized language will reveal that lovesickness may well be the underlying problem. Many people are referred for help who cannot cope with the intensity of love, have been destabilized by falling in love, or who suffer on account of their love being unrequited.' He also warns that this can lead a person who is somewhat unstable to suicide.

Another psychologist, Prof Alex Gardner, of Glasgow agrees with Tallis' findings and thinks that people really can die of a broken heart. Unrequited love can lead to physical exhaustion, and should be recognized as a legitimate psychological condition.

Often, people with depression are treated with medication, but Gardner believes that some psychology counseling might be more effective.