F52.0-9
Sexual problems may be more frequent amongst people with mental illness or neuropsychiatric conditions:
- Low sex drive, anorgasmia (unable to achieve an orgasm), impotence may occur as part of the mental illness, as a result of medication side effects (e.g. fluoxetine), and/or substance use.
- Hyper-sexuality may occur in people with intellectual disability, in manic or psychotic states, emotional dysregulation, substance use disorders
- Specific sexual disorders, e.g. vaginismus (spasm of vagina) or other sexual dysfunction, require specialist treatment.
- Refer for assessment and appropriate treatment.
Mental illness is more common amongst people with alternative sexual orientations or who are transgender.
- Stigma, discrimination and victimisation increase the prevalence of mental illness amongst this group of people.
- Response to treatment will be poor if underlying issues are not expressed and managed.
- Disclosure to a staff depends on a non-judgemental, accepting environment.
- Refer to counsellor/social worker.
- Counsel family members/caregivers.
- Refer to psychiatrist depending on clinical presentation/need.