Erectile dysfunction in male psychiatric patients

Pages: 1380-1382
Shweta Sharma (Department of Psychiatry, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi)
Satydhar Dwivedi (Department of Clinical Psychology, Institute of Mental Health & Hospital, Agra, UP)

The Present study was conducted to see erectile dysfunction in male psychiatric patients. The prevalence of erectile dysfunction is higher in persons with mental disorders. The negative symptoms of schizophrenia limit the capability for interpersonal and sexual relationships. The Sample consisted of 30 psychiatric patients from in-patient and out-patient ward of Post Graduate Institute of Behavioural & Medical Sciences and 30 normal controls from general population, Raipur, Chattisgarh. Erectile dysfunction was reported in 27% and 13% in ‘patient group’ and ‘control group’ respectively.The finding have been discussed in the light of the existing literature and a future direction for research has also been proposed. The conclusion of study was focused on the use of identifying sexual problems among psychiatric patients because most sufferers do not seek help either due to feeling of embarrassment or because they do not view it as a medical problem.