Depression for love: what it is, causes, and with what symptoms it is expressed.

These are the frequent experiences of people who develop depression for love.

Depression is a mental disorder that affects a great many people worldwide; in fact, it is one of the most prevalent disorders in practically all countries. Its causes can be very diverse.

In this article we will focus on love depressionThis is the one that arises as a consequence of living a process of love breakup and, as a consequence, of facing the process of mourning for the loved one.

What are the defining characteristics of depression due to love, what are its symptoms, causes and treatments, how do you experience a breakup process and how does this relate to depression? Let's find out through this article.

Depression for love: what is it?

Depression due to love is that which is directly caused by a love breakup. Thus, when we speak of depression due to love, we are referring to depression due to falling out of love, when we talk about depression due to love, we are referring to depression due to falling out of love..

Since, when we are in love, we are not exactly depressed, and it is love breakups or disappointments that can cause depression, and not love itself. In this way, what causes suffering in people is the lack of love, not love itself.

How do we feel when we experience a breakup?

In the first days after a breakup, symptoms of all kinds tend to appear. Anxiety, fear, insomnia, loss of appetite, feeling of emptiness... Surely many of you have experienced them.

In addition, a compulsive need to there is also usually a compulsive need to contact the other person.. We must be attentive to these first symptoms because, although they are totally normal (and even adaptive), if they are prolonged in time or if their intensity is excessive, we may be at risk of suffering from depression. What we call here "depression for love".

On the other hand, the so-called "withdrawal syndrome" appears, which is a very normal and frequent state, both mentally and physically, when we have just lost a source of security and pleasure. We must take into account what has already been mentioned, and that is that love, by itself, does not generate this abstinence syndrome.It is the loss of the loved one that provokes it.

Behavioral patterns in breakup and depression

As a consequence of a loss or a love breakup, we can act very differently from one another, but it is true that there are usually some common patterns that are mentioned here, in addition to some of the following, which appear with some frequency.

Resorting to unrestrained sex with strangers to "drive away" grief (or to stop thinking), the consumption of toxic substances (such as tobacco, alcohol or hard drugs) to "escape", distract us or also to avoid thinking, ruminative or obsessive thoughts, unanswered questions, the slumps, sleepless nights, stagnation... Sound familiar?

When all this is prolonged in time, or when the intensity of these symptoms or behaviors when the intensity of these symptoms or behaviors is so high that it seriously interferes in our daily life (i.e., in our functioning). (that is to say, in our functioning), then it can appear what we call here depression for love. What are its characteristics and how to treat it? Let's see it in the following sections.

Symptoms of love depression

Actually, we cannot say that love depression is a "subtype of depression" (at least, this term does not exist in any diagnostic reference manual); when we speak of love depression, we are referring rather to a type of depression popularly so called, because it occurs as a consequence of love (or rather, of lovelessness).

For all these reasons, the symptoms of depression due to love are the same as those that appear in any type of depression, although "bathed" by the feeling of having lost the loved one.. Thus, the following may appear.

1. Mood symptoms

The quintessential symptom of depression has to do with low mood. In the case of depression due to love, these symptoms may be accentuated when remembering times with the person who has been lost..... It is common to enter into states of nostalgia and especially melancholy.

2. Motivational and behavioral symptoms

Apathy, inhibition, anhedonia, lack of motivation, psychomotor retardation (or on the contrary, agitation), etc. appear.

As in the previous case, all these symptoms can intensify when entering a loop of thoughts (which are often negative) towards the child. (which are usually negative) towards the other person, or compulsive behaviors of looking for the other person in social networks, checking what he/she is doing, etc.

Cognitive symptoms

The performance of different cognitive processes and skills is also altered in depression, which impairs: memory, attention, mental speed....

As for the content of cognition, the following may occur Aaron Beck's so-called "negative triad", characterized by a negative (and pessimistic) view of oneself, the world and the future..

In love depression, this could translate or turn into negative ideas also about the other person, about the relationship itself, about the breakup, etc.

4. Physical symptoms

On a physical level, sleep problems appear (the so-called "sleepless nights" characteristic of this depression, as well as insomnia or other disturbances), fatigue, alterations in the appetite, decrease of the sexual desire...

5. Interpersonal symptoms

Finally, in the field of interpersonal relationships, there is a deterioration of the same, decrease of interest in interacting with others and even a rejection towards people..

In this sense, and especially in the early stages of a breakup, people tend to isolate themselves at home without wanting to go out with anyone, or on the contrary, to go out partying every weekend and partying, etc.

In relation to the latter, the aforementioned behaviors of having unrestrained sex with strangers may appear in some people.

Causes

Although each situation is different, the causes of depression due to love are usually of two types: either a love breakup or being rejected by the person we love. (in more colloquial words, "to be given pumpkins").

These types of situations are part of life, and all of us will go through them (and surely, on more than one occasion). In other words, these are situations that do not necessarily cause depression, even if they involve feelings of sadness and emptiness, since, after all, we are talking about mourning processes and it is normal to feel this way.

However, there are people who, because of their personal characteristics (vulnerability, for example, or insecurities) or because of the circumstances that have accompanied the breakup or disenchantment of love, do develop depression. by the circumstances that have accompanied the breakup or disenchantment in love, do develop depression..

Treatment

In relation to psychological therapy, the treatment of depression for love will actually be the treatment used to treat depression in general (adapted, of course, to each person).

In the specific case of depression due to love, a lot of work should be done with the patient on the dysfunctional thoughts associated with the breakup and the mourning process, i.e., all those thoughts that are associated with the breakup and the mourning process.that is to say, all those that make it difficult to accept the current situation (i.e., to accept reality).

It will also be important to work on the patient's self-esteem, as this is often affected in this type of situation or process. Thus, it will be sought to enhance it through different techniques and exercises (without forgetting the self-concept, closely related to self-esteem).

There are different psychological treatments that have been shown to be effective for depression. Some of them are:

• Lewinsohn's Pleasant Activities Program.
• Versen and Mclean's Social Skills Training (EHS).
• Lewinsohn's Depression Coping Course (DCC)
• Rehm's Self-Control Therapy
• Nexu's Problem Solving Therapy