hellodearest Posted April 3, 2012 Posted April 3, 2012 Saw this video, fast forward to minute 18. Essentially, it's saying that SSRIs are increasing the serotonin circuit, which helps depression, but in doing so, they are killing the dopamine circuit, which is associated with romantic love, or, the feeling of being "in love". Helen Fisher tells us why we love + cheat | Video on TED.com 1
Ajax Posted April 3, 2012 Posted April 3, 2012 This is interesting and something I looked into myself after my breakup a year and a half ago. My ex had started taking SSRI's and during the breakup and said they made her feel "flat" emotionally. I think there were several factors, such as commitment-phobia and having another fellow she was interested in, but the antidepressants may have been a contributing factor, and was a point she raised herself. The further out you get from ground zero of the breakup though the less you look for reasons. In the end it comes down to two people who weren't right for each other.
flitzanu Posted April 3, 2012 Posted April 3, 2012 i agree with Ajax, there's too much work put into looking for reasons instead of just accepting it. i've fallen in love with someone while on anti-deps, and i've fallen out of love on anti-deps. it makes toleration much easier, it doesn't mean your emotions stop working completely.
Feelin Frisky Posted April 3, 2012 Posted April 3, 2012 Link wouldn't load for me. I have experience with AD's though. Everyone is unique and has a unique balance or imbalance along with the social issues and intellect that make them who they are. The medication does not work in a way analogous to a computer where more or less of something produces and exact synchronicity. So, while I'll buy it that the dopamine channel may be turned down while the serotonin tuned up, it doesn't result in a uniform change in feelings throughout people. My AD helps me from being impulsively irritable where I can get ticked off at the drop of a hat. But I am not as emotional in the happy ways I used to be when I'd be moved to tears by some documentary of heroism or something like that. It's a trade off and it's probably better for those around me for me to be even tempered and give up that rare joyful cry that to act like much of the rest of my family and chase my own tail like a mangy dog over small stuff. I'm still a "feeler" and could not dispense with someone I loved very easily.
Recommended Posts