Is being in love like a mental illness?

Answer 1

Doctor says love is a mental illness

LONDON, Feb 14, 2005 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- Valentine's Day aside, a British clinical psychologist wants it known that falling in love is a destabilizing mental illness, the Washington Times reports.

The author of "Love Sick: Love as a Mental Illness," Frank Tallis maintains a private practice in London, where he says he often has patients who are suffering mentally because of love.

"Love seems to have the power to destabilize people emotionally," Tallis said. "Particularly in vulnerable individuals, it can be very difficult to cope."

But once the reality sinks in, medication might be helpful, Tallis said.

"When they begin to fall out of love, serotonin levels begin to rise," he said. "It's possible the administration of certain forms of anti-obsessional drugs, like Prozac, could ameliorate some of the obsessional symptoms of love."

However, Lourdes Griffin, administrator for the outpatient behavioral health service at Washington Hospital Center, has a simpler take on love: if people begin acting irrationally due to falling in love, they were probably previously mentally ill.

Answer 2

I wouldn't say its like a mental illness but if I had to describe it I would have to say its like a spell. All you do is think about that person like what their doing, are they thinking about you, how you love the way they walk, they talk. The only time it can become a mental illness in my opinion is when you develop a fatal attraction if that person doesn't want to be with you anymore. Love can be a beautiful thing.

Answer 3

Mental illness and normal are by definition. In a society where everyone is a compulsive liar a truthful person is a freak

Answer 4

Exactly, it creates a dependent state for the person you love, and it inflates that person in your eyes. The increase of neurotransmitters like Seroquel, caused by being in love, generally improve your entire outlook on life.

But, it feels soooo good. There is an easy cure for it, "Just ask him, honestly, does this dress make me look fat?" No matter what he says he will be wrong in a woman's eyes.

Watch out for when the love ends, then you have to learn how to like your partner, flaws and all, just for being who they are.

Answer 5

I suppose it could be. Mental illness is usually caused by a hormonal imbalance, and we all know what being in love can do to your hormones.

Answer 6

Sometimes, if you are obsessed with the object if your affection. An historical example of this kind of madness is exemplified by Juana la Loca, a Spanish princess that was madly in love with her husband, so much that she truly went mad When he died she kissed his corpse even as it began to decompose.

Answer 7

Yes, because it clouds the judgment of the ones who are in love. All logic goes right out the damn door.

Answer 8

no it isnt, theres nothing wrong with you when you're in love, the person simply stimulates your brain into releasing certain neurotransmitters that lets you know the feeling - like anything else that makes you happy

Answer 9

Yeah, pretty much...you nailed that one on the head!

Answer 10

yes. it makes you do crazy things. it makes you think and say things you wouldn't normally.
it is insane, this thing we call love.