The man who has caught your attention is flawless, except for one minor detail: he's already in a relationship. You find yourself consumed by thoughts of him, and you may even refrain from pursuing other romantic interests because he's the only one who intrigues you. However, is your infatuation with him genuinely about him, or is it because he's unattainable? The reason why forbidden things can be more alluring than what's readily available is explained below.

1. You like a challenge

A study in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology revealed that women were presented with an image of their ideal man. Half of the participants were informed he was unattached, while the other half were informed he was already taken. The findings demonstrated that 59 percent of the women preferred the single man, but this number increased to 90 percent when they discovered that Mr. Perfect was already in a relationship. The idea of pursuing and winning a challenge can be exhilarating. However, since this isn't high school anymore, it may be time to let go of your competitive side.

2. You compare yourself to others

If you believe that the grass is always greener on the other side, you're not alone. A study conducted by Stetson University in Florida found that when women interacted with other women who were slim, beautiful, and well-dressed, they tended to feel negative about their bodies, particularly when an attractive man was around. The issue with continually comparing oneself to others is that it's an unwinnable competition. There will always be someone who is more attractive, better dressed, or smarter than you. This constant comparison can leave you feeling exhausted and cause you to overlook the wonderful things you do have in life.

3. You like the idea of the guy, not really him

On occasion, men appear to be most appealing when they are unavailable, and once you have them, you realize that you don't actually want them. Why does this happen? You were fascinated with a glorified perception of the guy and what you believed it would be like to be with him (similar to our infatuations with celebrities). However, when reality sets in, it falls short of your expectations. Maybe it's time to let go of those impractical ideals that are keeping you from discovering genuine happiness.

4. You want to feel wanted

Longing for the unattainable may have more to do with your own internal struggles than the man in question. You might crave the sensation of being desired, but receiving attention from available men doesn't provide the same thrill—it's too effortless. Instead, you seek attention from the man who doesn't pay attention to you at all, the equivalent of winning the dating jackpot. Obtaining the affection of an unavailable man appears to validate your worth and desirability. But when did you require a man to feel that way about yourself?

5. You're afraid of commitment

The constant desire for what's unattainable can serve as a defense mechanism, shielding you from confronting your actual issue: your fear of commitment. By pursuing what is just beyond your reach, you have a convenient excuse to avoid committed relationships with the numerous intriguing guys out there who would willingly date you. It's a simpler solution than facing your fear of intimacy.

6. You're bored in your relationship (but not doing anything about it)

Feeling unfulfilled can cause your attention to stray toward what you know you can't have because it may jeopardize your long-term, committed relationship. As a result, you begin to yearn for something that you know is unattainable, entrapped in an illusion that distracts you from the issues in your relationship. Rather than dwelling on what you lack, concentrate on mending what you have.

7. You like mystery

What is it about uncertainty that is so appealing? It's all about the intrigue. A research study conducted by the University of Virginia demonstrated this by displaying Facebook profiles of four male college students to female participants. The participants were informed that the men either liked their profiles, liked them a little, or liked them a little or a lot, but the outcome was uncertain. The research discovered that women were most attracted to men who gave them an uncertain result. The sensation of not knowing, such as whether or not you can obtain the guy, can be quite thrilling. However, let's face it: suspense may be entertaining, but after a while, it becomes downright irritating, and you just want to know where you stand.