Question 1

I am almost 70, female. Is "falling in love" still possible, or should I settle for  just a friend feeling as a partner?

Donatella Marazziti · Accepted Answer

Dear friend, Love does not take care of how old we are. Be ready and do not despair:love will find you

Question 2

How is being in love similar to OCD?

Donatella Marazziti · Accepted Answer

Love and OCD share some similarities at the level of the ideation: when you are in love your thoughts are centered on the partner, your brain is full of images, memories related to him/her, doubts about being or not reciprocate, similarl to OCD patents whose brain is full of obsessions. However, thlovers are happy, while OCD patients suffer from this type of ideation.
MY contribution in this field was that I demonstrated that lovers in the early phase of the relationship and OCD patients share the same disturbances at the level of the serootnin system that is decreased

Question 3

What is happening when someone feels love sick or broken-hearted? How can a psychotherapist help with this experience?

Donatella Marazziti · Accepted Answer

To feel love sick or broken-hearted is a common, albeit painful human experience that may also improve self-knowledge and growth. The psychotherapist may be helpful in explaining the psychological mechanisms of the pain, that are similar to grief, and accelerating the "recovery"

Question 4

What is the best way to get over someone quickly?

Donatella Marazziti · Accepted Answer

The best way is to be aware that we can love over and over again, and, more important, the next partner can be even better.  It is essential not to mourn, but eliminate all objects remembering the partner, change the look, talking with relatives and good friends and, if Coronavirus pandemic permits, to go out and visit new places.

Question 5

Why do I always get put in the 'friend zone'?

Donatella Marazziti · Accepted Answer

Probably this is due to some mistakes occurring in the initial phase of the relationships based on misunderstandings of the counterpart's behaviours and intentions, or projection of personal feelings on him/her. A psychotherapy focussing on personal reinforcement and the choice of the appropriate "target" mighyt be exteremely helpful

Question 6

Is much known about the neurobiology of jealousy and being obsessed with a partner's behavior and contact with others?

Donatella Marazziti · Accepted Answer

The state of the art on the neurobiology of jealousy and being obsessed with a partner's behavior and contacts with others is still at its dawn. However, the available data are quite intriguing and permits to draw targeted interventions

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