Intimacy & Depression

From: Helen Dynda (olddad66@runestone.net)
Thu Nov 8 10:42:34 2001


[] Intimacy & Depression - by R. Taylor Segraves, MD, PhD

1.) What Is Depression? Everyone knows what it's like to feel sad, down, or "blue" from time to time. But when these feelings continue for more than just a few weeks, and are accompanied by certain other physical and mental symptoms, doctors call this depression. The symptoms that help a doctor to identify depression in a patient include:

* constant feelings of sadness, irritability, or tension

* a change in appetite, with a significant weight loss or weight gain

* a change in sleeping patterns, such as insomnia, early morning awakening, or sleeping too much

* restlessness, inability to make decisions or concentrate

* loss of energy, feeling tired despite lack of activity

* loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities or hobbies

* decrease in sex drive

* feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, or guilt

* thoughts of suicide or death

2.) Causes and Treatment: Some medical researchers believe depression is caused by an imbalance of certain chemicals in the brain. Antidepressant medications affect the chemical balance and relieve the symptoms of depression in many patients.

Patients who are given an antidepressant by a physician should gradually begin to feel less depressed. Many notice signs of improvement as early as 2 or 3 weeks after starting treatment, although for some people it may take longer. Appetite begins to return to normal. Sleep patterns improve. Interest and pleasure in hobbies and favorite pastimes gradually return. If the patient's interest in sex had decreased as a result of the depression, then as the depression is relieved, sexual function should return to normal.

But just when antidepressant therapy seems to be making life better in many respects, some patients may experience common side effects. One of these side effects may include changes in sexual desire or performance. Patients may begin to feel little or no desire for sex; they may find it difficult to become sexually aroused; they may find sex unsatisfying and be unable to have an orgasm. What causes this?

3.) Some Antidepressants May Cause Sexual Problems: While depression itself can decrease the sex drive, other factors can also cause sexual problems in both men and women. These factors include conflict between sexual partners, stress, illnesses that cause ongoing pain or exhaustion, an imbalance in body chemistry, and medications such as some antidepressants.

Fortunately, when patients experience sexual problems as a result of antidepressant therapy, physicians have a number of treatment choices. The physician may decide to see if the sexual problem resolves by itself after the patient is given enough time to adjust to the medication; perhaps the dosage can be adjusted; or sometimes additional medication may be appropriate. Another option is to change to a different antidepressant medication.

4.) Discussing Concerns About Sex With a Doctor: Sexual problems are not uncommon and can usually be solved. But first the patient needs to make the doctor aware of the problem. Before starting antidepressant therapy, the patient should inform the physician of any present or past difficulties with sexual function.

The sexually active patient should inquire about side effects - including sexual problems - that are caused by some antidepressants. The patient should feel free to speak frankly, without embarrassment, to the physician. The patient already on antidepressant therapy should inform the doctor of any side effects, including any of the following sexual problems, that may have developed since therapy started.

5.) Some Signs of Antidepressant-Induced Sexual Dysfunction.

* Loss of or reduced desire for sex

* Inability or reduced ability to become sexually aroused or excited

* Inability of the penis to become or stay firm or rigid

* Release of semen earlier than usual during the sex act

* Release of little or no semen during sexual climax

* Continuous, painful erection of the penis

* Inability to achieve orgasm or taking longer than usual to reach orgasm

* Change in lubrication (wetness) during sexual activity

* Pain during sexual activity

If a patient begins to experience any of these problems, especially after taking an antidepressant, then it is possible that the problem is being caused by the medication.

Remember, antidepressant therapy can help to relieve the symptoms of depression, including sexual problems, in a majority of patients. However, some antidepressants may actually cause sexual problems that disrupt therapy. Although it's a very personal subject, patients who experience any of the sexual difficulties discussed above should not hesitate to make the doctor aware of the problem. Once the doctor is informed, the patient can usually be helped. There are a number of treatments from which physicians can choose to relieve depression while minimizing the patient's risk of experiencing sexual problems.

[ Note: The following Url is the website address for the above article; but when I tried to access this article, this article was * Not Found * - so I have posted the entire article.]

http://www.wellbutrin-sr.com/hcp/mat/intimit.htm


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