Sex, Drugs and Mental Health

PHOTO When we think of sexual dysfunction, the general demographic we consider are older people. When you’re in your late teens to mid-twenties you’re supposed to be in your sexual prime, and the term ‘sexual dysfunction’ isn’t one that would be thrown around very oft en. With the prevalence of mental illness in young people and of young people taking psychiatric medications, perhaps it is a conversation we should be having. With certain mental illnesses, your sex drive can increase - for example, some people with Bipolar Aff ective Disorder can have periods where they are hypersexual. Th is can lead to an increased sex drive. Although, for the most part, with illnesses such as depression, anxiety and schizophrenia, sex drive can be decreased. Medications aren’t a bad thing and before these eff ects are fully discussed, I’m in no way advocating that they shouldn’t be used. However, these medications can have side eff ects that are directly linked to sexual dysfunction. For the purpose of doing the topic justice without being too long, the focus will be primarily on antidepressants, antipsychotics and benzodiazepines. Th ere are ways to treat these mental health problems that can be just as eff ective or even more than medication such as certain therapies, but unfortunately, as no one needs to tell you, the resources simply aren’t there. Th erefore, unfortunate as it may be, a lot of people rely solely on medications. Th e classifi cations of antidepressants are as follows: MAOIs (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors) Tricyclic Antidepressants SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) SNRIs (Selective Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors) SSNRIs (Selective Serotonin Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors) All antidepressants can cause a degree of sexual dysfunction. Th is can range from erectile dysfunction to diffi culty achieving orgasm or no orgasm at all. Vaginal dryness and lowered libido can occur in women. Everyone can react diff erently to these medications, so symptoms may diff er. Antipsychotics are usually given for the treatment of psychosis, schizophrenia and the manic stages of bipolar disorder. Typical antipsychotics are the older strain of these medications and generally wouldn’t be seen as oft en as their counterparts, atypical antipsychotics. All of these medications can cause sexual dysfunction. Benzodiazepines are primarily used to treat anxiety disorders. Th e name is a little less self explanatory than the others and these drugs would more likely be known by some of the trade names, for example, Xanax or Valium. Th ese drugs are a little more complicated as sometimes they can be used recreationally. However, like most of the psychiatric medications discussed above, they can also cause sexual problems. If you are on any of these medications, the fi rst reassurance that can be given is that if you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is completely normal. It can be embarrassing to think that you may be the only young person aff ected by these issues, but they’re very common and there is a lot of literature out there to back it up. One of the important steps you can take is to discuss it with your doctor. Th ey’re there to help and in some cases, there are additional medications that can be prescribed to combat these adverse eff ects. Another thing you can do is to communicate with your partner. Th ey will understand and it can help you feel a little more understood. Sex and imtimacy is important, and you shouldn’t feel like it should have to be sidelined by something like medications. So what can I do? Antipsychotics Benzodiazepines Antidepressants 36 Words By Chloe Mant