Do emotions affect your sex drive?

[hotguy8884]

Hello everyone.

For some reason unbeknownst to me, I have been really depressed lately. I can't think of a possible reason why I am, but that isn't the issue.

Recently, I have been unwilling to do normal activities that I used to do. I haven't been hanging out with friends as much. I don't enjoy going to work anymore (and I used to).

Also, I would usually masturbate at least 5 times a week. But lately, I have only been masturbating 1-2 times a week.

My question is... Has anybody here at LPSG experienced a lowered sex drive while depressed, or in any other emotional state? And, is this a common thing to happen?

Rob <3

 

[viking1]

Yes.

 

[hotguy8884]

Yes.

Wow, thanks for the thourough and perhaps overly complex answer.

Rob <3

 

[Ed69]

Yes I've been there done that.Clinical depression doesn't need a reason and it will slaughter your sex drive.My doctor told me it's very common and can even go the other way.

 

[snoozan]

decreased sex drive is one of the clinical indicators of depression.

 

[hotguy8884]

Yes I've been there done that.Clinical depression doesn't need a reason and it will slaughter your sex drive.My doctor told me it's very common and can even go the other way.

What do you mean 'the other way'?

Like raise your sex drive?

ROb <3

 

[psidom]

yes they do greatly.
i am rarely depressed but if i am i will get shrinkage.
which REALLY helps.

i think the moonphase has alot to do with your amount of sensitivity as well.
that could just be me though.
:biggrin1:

 

[Principessa]

Hello everyone.

For some reason unbeknownst to me, I have been really depressed lately. I can't think of a possible reason why I am, but that isn't the issue.

Recently, I have been unwilling to do normal activities that I used to do. I haven't been hanging out with friends as much. I don't enjoy going to work anymore (and I used to).

Also, I would usually masturbate at least 5 times a week. But lately, I have only been masturbating 1-2 times a week.

My question is... Has anybody here at LPSG experienced a lowered sex drive while depressed, or in any other emotional state? And, is this a common thing to happen?

Rob <3

If you are depressed; and it sounds like you definetely are, then yes it is normal for your libido to decrease. People with depression don't feel like doing anything that they previously enjoyed; not just some things.

You must see a doctor and tell him all of your symptoms including the loss of libido. Many primary care physicians can prescribe mood altering drugs.

Check: Depression & Sexual Desire
ROBERT L. PHILLIPS, JR., M.D., and


JAMES R. SLAUGHTER, M.D. University of Missouri&shy;Columbia School of Medicine, Columbia, Missouri

Decreased libido disproportionately affects patients with depression. The relationship between depression and decreased libido may be blurred, but treating one condition frequently improves the other. Medications used to treat depression may decrease libido and sexual function. Frequently, patients do not volunteer problems related to sexuality, and physicians rarely ask about such problems. Asking a depressed patient about libido and sexual function and tailoring treatment to minimize adverse effects on sexual function can significantly increase treatment compliance and improve the quality of the patient's life. (Am Fam Physician 2000;62:782-6.)​

Web Resources
For online information, news, and community features:

Depression Resources at WebMD
http://DepressionResources.webmd.com

American Psychiatric Association
1000 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1825
Arlington, VA 22209-3901
Toll-free: (888) 35-PSYCH (357-7924)
Phone: (703) 907-7300
http://www.psych.org

American Psychological Association
750 First Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002-4242
Toll-free: (800) 374-2721
Phone: (202) 336-5500
http://www.apa.org

Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) Knowledge Exchange Network (KEN)
P.O. Box 42490
Washington, DC 20015
Toll-free: (800) 789-2647
http://www.mentalhealth.org

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)
730 North Franklin Street, Suite 501
Chicago, IL 60601-7204
Toll-free: (800) 826-3632
http://www.dbsalliance.org

Depression and Related Affected Disorders Association
Meyer 3-181
600 North Wolfe Street
Baltimore, MD 21287-7381
Phone: (410) 955-4647
http://www.drada.org

National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
Colonial Place Three
2107 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 300
Arlington, VA 22201-3042
Toll-free: (800) 950-NAMI (950-6264)
Phone: (703) 524-7600
http://www.nami.org

National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression
60 Cutter Mill Road, Suite 404
Great Neck, NY 11021
Toll-free: (800) 829-8289
http://www.narsad.org

National Foundation for Depressive Illness, Inc.
P.O. Box 2257
New York, NY 10116
Toll-free: (800) 239-1265
http://www.depression.org

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH),
Public Inquiries
6001 Executive Boulevard, Suite 8184, MSC 9663
Bethesda, MD 20892-9663
Phone: (301) 443-4513
http://www.nimh.nih.gov

National Mental Health Association
2001 North Beauregard Street, 12th Floor
Alexandria, VA 22311
Toll-free: (800) 969-NMHA (969-6642)
http://www.nmha.org

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
US Department of Health and Human Services
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, MD 20857
Phone: (301) 443-8956
http://www.samhsa.gov

 

[Ed69]

What do you mean 'the other way'?

Like raise your sex drive?

ROb <3

Exactly I've gone through periods when sex was the only thing that made me feel alive and motivated.And other times I had no interest in sex at all.It took a bit to find the correct meds.Once we got it right things were great.

 

[hotguy8884]

Hmm, interesting, Ed69.

And thanks njqt466.

Rob <3

 

[viking1]

Wow, thanks for the thourough and perhaps overly complex answer.

Rob <3

It affects mine. When I feel really down my sex drive is decreased. I have had sad, feeling down spells most of my life, and I'm 46. I seldom ever feel what you'd call good about things. Sometimes I do feel better, and other times I feel worse. Feeling really good is rare. Seems to be getting worse with age too. Everything gets worse with age.

Do see a doctor or psychologist. They can probably help you. I won't tell doctors about my problems with this. I've had it for so long, so often, and so bad, that I'll have to take medicine for the rest of my life. Drugs aren't really the answer for long term depression.

 

[B_quietguy]

My libido drops if I feel depressed, upset, stressed, exhausted, or disgusted.

On the other hand, if I feel cheerful, content, happy, pleased, or silly my body wants more sex.

If I do feel a mild downer mood, I can sometimes use a couple hours of hot sex to put a smile back on my face! :smile: