[Dreamer]

I have been reading a lot on depression. Does anyone know if MLC is a form of dep. would taking an anti depressant help the serotonin levels and be better for the spouse, or would the anti depressant keep them from working out their issues. Just curious.

[in it]

It's hard to say..when I was treated for what happened after I took Chantix they put me on lexapro and I felt really good. That may have been some depression but it was more like panic attacks but they didn't stop happening I was in a constant state of panic for two months.

People in depression lack direction and routine. And nothing interests them even trying to do something about it and denial can be a BIG part of it (especially in men)..read about covert depression they tend to hide it because it feels like they are "abnormal" and the ego steps in in the form of denial. That's when monster comes out because they get defensive.

Women may cry or at least reveal it more.

It can take a while for some meds to work and then a side effect might kick in and it gets discouraging. Then on the other hand it may work great and because it works so well someone thinks they are "cured" and go off them. Then the symptoms reoccur.

As weird as this may sound or (repeated) exercise and just ONE thing that someone can make themselves do even once week if possible.. to develop a routine will help.

IMHO people in this state need to try to socialize in a safe circle of people they trust if they have some. Maybe listen to someone elses's troubles can give their own some perspective.

[Anjae]

MLC is permeated with depression. You can read RCR articles on it. http://www.midlifecrisismarriageadvocate.com/mlc_overview_depression.html

In a way MLC is more like Bipolar (or cyclothymic disorder, a milder form of Bipolar) than Depression. At least for Replayers because it has two poles, euphoria and depression.

As weird as this may sound or (repeated) exercise and just ONE thing that someone can make themselves do even once week if possible.. to develop a routine will help.

IMHO people in this state need to try to socialize in a safe circle of people they trust if they have some. Maybe listen to someone Else's troubles can give their own some perspective.

Your spot on, In it. Problem is it is almost impossible to have an MLCer socialize with a safe circle of people.

Regarding the meds, some here have MLCers who knew they were depressed, start taking meds, then just set them aside, often cold turkey. To some the anti-depressants were making them more agitated. A thing that seems to corroborate that MLC is more like Bipolar, therefore a mood stabilizer, like Lamotrigine, could be more appropriated.

But each person is a different case so, like In it said, hard to tell. We do not have bllod tests of brain tests of our MLCer to know what they are lacking (or having in excess).

You can read bout Bipolar here: http://mlcforum.theherosspouse.com/index.php?topic=3872.0

Here about the Biochemestry of MLc and Infidelity: http://mlcforum.theherosspouse.com/index.php?topic=3669.0

In Resources About MLC you will find articles ranging from depression to divorce and other MLC issues: http://mlcforum.theherosspouse.com/index.php?topic=2297.0

Books discussion thread has several books on Depression and MLC:
http://mlcforum.theherosspouse.com/index.php?topic=100.0 and http://mlcforum.theherosspouse.com/index.php?topic=1971.0

Hope this helps.

[OldPilot]

This topic has been discussed a few times before so I added it to some of the other discussions.

Also another depression topic that was archived might help

http://mlcforum.theherosspouse.com/index.php?topic=141.0