Sexual Dysfunctions and Mood and Anxiety Disorders

Abstract

Sexual dysfunctions are frequently associated with depression and anxiety: they are reported to be two to three times more likely in depressed population then in non-depressed population, and according to literature, the existence of a bidirectional relationship between depressive symptoms, anxiety, and sexual dysfunctions should always be taken into account. The same etiological mechanisms that are responsible for mood disorders can also be at the base of sexual dysfunctions: patients with sexual dysfunctions can, in fact, more commonly develop lower sexual satisfaction and control, higher distress, and higher social anxiety. What is more, in patients with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, a disruption in sexual functioning can often be associated with both depressive and manic episodes, and severe fluctuations in sexual life may be difficult to manage for both the patients and their partners. To make the picture even more complex, pharmacological treatments used routinely may cause alterations in desire, excitement, and orgasm. In order to define the best possible treatment for the patient, every careful clinician should routinely evaluate symptoms of mood and anxiety disorders in individuals presenting with sexual complaints.