[Dagolark]

I m confused. . So the depression can cause loss of feelings of love and mlc madness.  But taking antidepressants can also cause the same thing.  If it's a matter of chemistry I don't understand how two different 'balances'' can cause the same results.

[osb]

Guessing the trigger event is depression itself, just based on everyone's observations (my H had all the classic symptoms, from the disturbed sleep to the rage). All these psychoactive drugs work so differently depending on the drug class, and on each individual - in some cases they may be uninhibiting, a kind of unleashing the monster. And in some they may act as a jackboot stepping on libido and motivation.

I faintly recall there were a number of warnings about SSRIs in teens, that the drug could unmask depression rather than treat it - or at least by getting rid of the amotivation problem in a depressed teen, the SSRIs unmasked their underlying suicidality, and made them more likely to actually give it a try. Now, we did say MLCers are acting too much like teenagers..... 

[kikki]

Think you're right about the trigger event most likely being the depression itself osb.

All these psychoactive drugs work so differently depending on the drug class, and on each individual - in some cases they may be uninhibiting, a kind of unleashing the monster. And in some they may act as a jackboot stepping on libido and motivation.

That's important for us all to remember.  We can often be under the illusion that medication is more of an exact science than it sometimes is.

I faintly recall there were a number of warnings about SSRIs in teens, that the drug could unmask depression rather than treat it - or at least by getting rid of the amotivation problem in a depressed teen, the SSRIs unmasked their underlying suicidality, and made them more likely to actually give it a try. Now, we did say MLCers are acting too much like teenagers..... 

I think from memory, this is especially a potential in the first six weeks of taking the medication.

[SSG]

I got my H to go on Prozac...this was after getting ED / Thyroid Removal /  bouts of anger coupled with lack of motivation...then depression.  I led him to Prozac.  I know now, from reading so  many links, thanks to this forum...I compounded it all and made it worse.

When he was leaving, he said "I feel dead inside"  He did not love me, the dogs, his friends, his house or his life.  Later when asked by a close friend, if OW was his new love...he said no...very matter of factly.  So though he told her he loves her...I doubt he really means it. 

SSG

[forthetrees]

The good news is that IF they were to exercise, they could reverse many of the depressive effects. But... since they won´t admit that there is a problem in the first place, how that would happen is beyond me.

As for the ones who go become gym rats, I think they get hooked on the endorphin high from working out.

Life requires balance and they are out of balance; as are we until we get a grip.

[Dagolark]

I too have read that the first few weeks on antidepressants bring more risk of suicide than actual depression. .. at least it would seem the psychiatric community is well aware of the fact.

And yep for the dead inside.  X felt nothing when his niece was born or when my grandma died. Around the forum there are many reports of mlcers feeling nothing for dead or sick relatives. .. hallmark of depression.

[Anjae]

The other person could be giving their meds to the MLCer but I don't think that would happen in most cases.

Depression itself being the trigger. It could be, but I think something more than just depression. Maye something that triggered the depression to another level? Death of a relative, loss of a job, health problem, etc.?

That's important for us all to remember.  We can often be under the illusion that medication is more of an exact science than it sometimes is.

Medication is far from an ezxact science (same for medicine) and many times psychiatrists just prescribe meds without any sort of tests.

[kikki]

Depression itself being the trigger. It could be, but I think something more than just depression. Maye something that triggered the depression to another level? Death of a relative, loss of a job, health problem, etc.?

This MLC is such an endless loop - but what we were talking about was the loss of loving feelings etc (meds or the depression itself).

What causes the depression at mid life (or ramping up of the depression) seems to be the hormone fluctuations, and as Jed Diamond talks about - the decline instead of being slow, can drop suddenly with major stress (loss of a close relative etc) and causes rapid changes to the biochemistry.  Giving rise to the many physical (body and brain) symptoms that we see.

[xyzcf]

The use of antidepressants and hormonal therapy as well as many other medications is as Anjae says, not an exact science. Hormonal levels fluctuate during a 24 hour period, so even if blood levels are taken, the numbers may not mean much.

Think about people who suffer from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). Not everyone has effects from lack of sunshine but for some, they are terribly affected. Our bodies are very complex and thus each person responds differently.

I seem to experience side effects from any meds that I take and thus, I take half doses of nearly everything. My doctor thinks it is because of my specific body metabolism.

A lot of people want a pill to fix everything and the pharmaceutical companies love it. Alternative medicine doesn't generate the same revenue potential as drugs. Doctors prescribe meds, patients ingest many other things that may interact with those meds...even certain foods can have an affect.

My MLCer was not taking AD's but I can see he sure is depressed. What the solution for that is, I wish I knew.

[SSG]

Depression itself being the trigger. It could be, but I think something more than juts depression. Maye something that triggered the depression to another level? Death of a relative, loss of a job, health problem, etc.?

This MLC is such an endless loop - but what we were talking about was the loss of loving feelings etc (meds or the depression itself).

What causes the depression at mid life (or ramping up of the depression) seems to be the hormone fluctuations, and as Jed Diamond talks about - the decline instead of being slow, can drop suddenly with major stress (loss of a close relative etc) and causes rapid changes to the biochemistry.  Giving rise to the many physical (body and brain) symptoms that we see.

 

My H suffered from Thyroid problems (as did his M and GM)   I think hormones played a major role. First M lasted 15 years, ours 15 yrs.......hormones eventually led to his other prob.  ED, depression.....his was a slow decline. Though he did point out that our marriage breaking up was not to be compared to his first one.  His first one he got a D in record time, for Germany.

I have no doubt that hormones was the major contributing factor...in my sitch. I got the "I'm dead inside" talk more than once. 

SSG