PC-The Established
Psychiatrist Nahid Dave explains that the mere presence of a supportive partner gives one a dopamine kick because just the feeling of being wanted, of being desired, is a huge enough compliment. Today, if someone gives you their time, that’s more than enough, and triumphs everything, making one ignore all the red flags.
“There is an acute phase in depression when the person does not feel like doing anything. Their work is affected and such, but that’s just the acute phase. Often, you might just feel lethargic and you don’t feel very confident the way you are,” she says. “People are depressed due to what is known as secondary impairment—the feeling that you’re losing out on things.”
This is where she says loneliness also trickles in—where you want to be alone but feel lonely when you are alone. In this sense, knowing what one wants is crucial, without giving into just the primary needs of validation, valid as they might be.
Quoted in TheEstablished on "How to date when you’re diagnosed with depression"
Article by Arman Khan