engleski

Sexual problems of psychiatric patients treated in a day hospital setting

Introduction: Sexual problems are more prevalent in people with mental disorders than in general population. Day hospital is a setting that gives ample opportunities to address sexual problems. Aims of study: We wanted to study if sexual problems are more prevalent in psychiatric patients with a specific mental disorder, with all patients treated in a comparable setting. Also, we wanted to see if the perception of a sexual problem differs among different diagnostic categories. Methods: 150 patients treated in a day hospital in two different institutions were inquired about their sexual problems and also about their perception of a sexual disorder. The participants were patients suffering from alcohol dependence, depression, anxiety disorders and posttraumatic stress disorder. Results: Patients with depression had the worse results in all types of sexual problems (desire, arousal, orgasm), and patients with alcohol dependence had the best results. Subjects with depression were especially affected in the realm of sexual desire/interest, compared to all other groups. Subjects with PTSD also had more problems compared to those with anxiety disorders and alcohol dependence. On the other hand, there were no differences in their perception of having a sexual problem, among the groups. Conclusions: Psychiatric patients treated for depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD in a day hospital setting had more problems than patients treated for alcohol dependence. Patients with depression had the most sexual problems. Among the patients there were no differences in their perception of sexual problems.

sexual problems; psychiatric patients; depression; PTSD; alcoholism

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