[alexa234]

Has anyone else found they lost their love for spouse and parents while depressed and/or taking anti depressants?

I have had periods of depression in the past, lacking in motivation, losing enjoyment in things and have had short treatments of ssri anti depressants.

But last autumn i felt lacking in motivation, and my doc prescribed paroxetine and then changed to fluoxetine (as i had severe diarrhoea). I suffered from insomnia and anxiety about everything and then seemed to lose my 'normal' emotions... love, empathy, sadness...

I am now on sertraline

I have become detached from my husband, and my whole life really. I am desperate to feel how i felt before... we were happily married for 25 years before this. I just don't know how to deal with this at all. I'd be grateful for any suggestions or similar experiences.

Thanks.

Dear Alexa,
OH YES. The numbness of depression made me totally forget what it was like to be "in love" with my spouse. (We've been married a longer than 25 years.) My antidepressant does not make me detached. However, when I was at my absolute worst, I was drinking a half bottle of wine every evening while I prepared dinner and taking Xanax while at work (stressful job). I feel certain that the alcohol and Xanax deepened my depression. Alcohol can be a lovely thing when your are happy and celebrating but due to my last bout of depression, I no longer touch the stuff (the last time I had a drink was in January). Same thing with Xanax.
Lastly, I discovered in therapy that I had some unconscious things going on that were interfering with how I felt about my husband. You know, when your married, sometimes the partner is just the innocent victim of our despair.
So true love is possible when our depression lifts. That we are truly unable to love (oh so, so numb) is the tragedy that is depression. I am truly grateful to not currently be in that deep, dark pit.
Keep trying! Sincerely, Myst

[little turtle]

Originally Posted by Mysterious153

Dear Alexa,
OH YES. The numbness of depression made me totally forget what it was like to be "in love" with my spouse. (We've been married a longer than 25 years.) My antidepressant does not make me detached. However, when I was at my absolute worst, I was drinking a half bottle of wine every evening while I prepared dinner and taking Xanax while at work (stressful job). I feel certain that the alcohol and Xanax deepened my depression. Alcohol can be a lovely thing when your are happy and celebrating but due to my last bout of depression, I no longer touch the stuff (the last time I had a drink was in January). Same thing with Xanax.
Lastly, I discovered in therapy that I had some unconscious things going on that were interfering with how I felt about my husband. You know, when your married, sometimes the partner is just the innocent victim of our despair.
So true love is possible when our depression lifts. That we are truly unable to love (oh so, so numb) is the tragedy that is depression. I am truly grateful to not currently be in that deep, dark pit.
Keep trying! Sincerely, Myst

my antidepressant helped but it came with a price....no sex....no tears...just numbed down...I have been married 61 years...it is hard work....I also found wine and valium very helpful but I paid a price for that...

[DayAtATime1]

I too have been married 25 years, and my recent bout of depression (last 3-4 years) has left me devoid of emotions. I no longer have feelings of love for my wife. I care very much about her, but it's more like we're companions than spouses. I don't know why she stays with me. I think I have to find a way to love myself before I'll be capable of loving anybody else. I hope I can get thru this depression and rediscover my love for her...