You’re my Obsession: The Link between Love and OCD

Mindhacks had a writeup on some (not-so-recent) research into romance. The finding was that there were similar levels of a serotonin transporter protein in people with obsessive compulsive disorder is the same as those in love.

People with OCD experience intrusive, obsessive thoughts and are often described as having an 'over-valued idea' - an almost semi-delusional state where a particular thought becomes the focus of attention… She found that the group of patients with OCD and the recently love-struck were no different in terms of the serotonin transporter protein, suggesting the brain began to function markedly differently as love blossomed.

The point, basically, is that people in love are a little bit crazy at least as far as you define normal brain functioning. We know from different studies that certain brain chemicals are released during the initial infatuation phases of relationships that serve to bring people closer together.

Lately I've wondered if it's possible for a person to be less likely to experience this phenomenon. On one hand we know that decision-making plays a large role in who we fall in love with. But on a more neuropsychological level I wonder if some, who might also be less likely prone to obsessive disorders, might experience a much milder and more regulated form of cognitive functioning during the initial stages of a relationship.

The result would be that some people might not ever feel "in love" as defined by popular movies and culture; or even their more love-prone peers. Even worse, they might pass up perfectly valid relationships in pursuit of a spark they can't ever feel based on their hard wiring.

While I'm throwing out ideas I wonder also if the ability to feel the rush of love diminishes with age and experience.

Comments

[Ian]

Hi don't worry when you fall in love whether it be at 14, 24, 34, 44 ... it's still the same marvelous experience with the same stupid grins on your face ! It's wonderful , you should do it more often ;-)

[Mike]

I've never felt it to the degree that some people seem to, well at least with someone who reciprocated.

While I think love is a basic human capacity I think the explosive neurochemical phenomena popularized by mainstream culture is more than likely experienced differently by different people. case in point-- OCD. :P