Psychosis and sexual function

Let’s talk about sexual dysfunction and anti-psychotics. Because let’s be fair, when do we? With a BSc and MSc in psychiatry and I have sat in clinic rooms whereby people with a diagnosis of a chronic mental illness, have their sexual concerns ignored. People struggling with an enduring mental illness are often ignored and clinicians minimise frustrations with sexual functioning claiming that managing the illness is more important. This is not only incredibly dismissing of needs but also increases the likelihood of wanting to take meds (I refuse to use the terms “non-compliance/adherence”).

If you can prescribe and/or work within the mental health field. I implore you to listen to the person in front of you and help them through the distress of a dysfunction and hear them in the importance of their sex life.  Also be mindful of other medication that may be available, antipsychotic drugs most associated with dysfunctions are olanzapine, risperidone, haloperidol and clozapine. On the other hand, perphenazine, quetiapine and aripiprazole are associated with relatively low rates of SD.

However, if you are like me, you may not be able to prescribe, but that doesn’t deny us from being an advocate, that doesn’t deny us from educating ourselves on the impact and side-effects of medication, that doesn’t deny us from empathy and compassion. 

If you are reading this and struggling with a mental health diagnosis that is impacting on your sexual health, if you can talk to your physician, please do so. You are worthy of a happy healthy sex life. Reach out to a psychosexual therapist who may be able to help navigate through some challenges.

Everyone is deserving of sexual pleasure.